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Introducing the ridesafer® travel vest, the safe car seat solution for travel with kids, city parents using taxis, easier carpooling, special needs safety, fitting 3 across and everyday safe driving with kids.

ridesafer travel car seat

Hi. My name is Greg — Dad, Husband, Former Firefighter/Paramedic, Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor & CEO of Safe Ride 4 Kids

In the United States an annual average of 640 children ages 12 years and younger die as occupants in motor vehicle crashes and more than 137,000 are injured. Fortunately, many of those deaths and injuries are preventable… and it starts with  buckling up . Of the children ages 12 years and younger who died in a crash in 2013, 38% were not buckled up.

Standard car seats and boosters are great, but have you ever questioned if you’re  using them correctly ? Wished they weren’t so heavy or bulky? Or longed for the day your child could actually feel comfortable without compromising his safety?

ridesafer vest celebrity review

Traveling with three kids can be a bit challenging especially with all three children using child restraints. I can't tell you how convenient it was to use RideSafer over the holidays. I had such peace of mind knowing that Estela, 7, and Marcelo, 3, were safe while traveling to and from airports, hotels or around town while we were out of the country. I even had them strap them onto their backpacks for easy transport! I not only love our RideSafers for traveling but it is amazing for carpooling. There are so many times I have found myself having to give a ride to another child or even when Estela is picked up from school by someone else or for field trips. This is such a great product and it definitely makes my life easier as a mom and THAT is PRICELESS!!!!!

~ Ali Landry, actress, model and CPS technician

IS LUGGING A BULKY CAR SEAT THROUGH THE AIRPORT WEIGHING YOU DOWN?

With the RideSafer® Travel Vest,  catching your flight just got a whole lot easier !

We’ve all seen parents who were, or perhaps you have been the parent, buried with car seats and gear going through the airport. With RideSafer you won’t need to haul that heavy car seat through airport security or while you’re rushing through the terminal to make it to your gate on time.

Lightweight and compact, the RideSafer® Travel Vest easily stows away in your luggage or even on your child’s backpack. It is simple to pull out and use SAFELY once you arrive at your destination!

Fewer headaches, safer kids, more smiles! That’s a relief when traveling with kids !

lightweight travel car seat

Can I use the RideSafer on the airplane?

At this time the vests are not FAA approved for use on airplanes. The XS (22-40 pound) size vest may be FAA approved soon. At which time an Aircraft Attachment Strap accessory will be released to go through the guide on the vest and wrap the airline seat to provide upper body support.

If you decide to let your children sit in the airline seat without a car seat, the RideSafer is wonderful for keeping in your carry-on and having available as soon as you reach your destination. Since our kids were 4 and 5 and started using the RideSafer, they attached it to their backpack and stuffed it under the airline seat.

Can I use the RideSafer Internationally?

RideSafer vests are legal to use in all countries that recognize US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. They also hold compliance certification under China Compulsory Certification , Korean KCL and are permitted in Canada as CMVSS 213.3 custom restraints.

Restraints certified in the U.S. are usually not certified in other countries and visa versa as there are slightly different standards every where. Typically when traveling parents are allowed to bring in their usual child restraint. In our combined 25+ years as car seat technicians, we have not heard of anyone being ticketed for using a car seat from a different country while they were traveling.

View more FAQs

use Ridesafer car seat in taxis

It really works! My son (5) was wearing his vest in an Uber which was rear-ended while we were stopped at a traffic light. The driver had whiplash and a bruise from his seat belt, but my son was absolutely fine. We had used the vest in taxis for 2 years without incident, and it was a huge relief to see that it worked so well.

~ Leonora G.

In the City? Riding in a Taxi or Ride Share?

Whether the city is your travel destination or you live there, getting from place to place by taxi or ride share cars may be your mode of transportation. You, of course, want to keep your child properly secured because taxis get into crashes too and you don’t want to take your chances without a car seat. But you can’t be carrying a car seat around town. With RideSafer you get a win-win!

You know taxi drivers don’t like to wait for you to install a car seat. RideSafer allows you to put the vest on while your hailing the cab and just buckle up once you get in.

using car seat in taxis

What if I'm traveling by taxi?

In many — but not all — states taxis are legally exempt from car seat requirements. Even if car seats are not legally required, taxis are known to get in to crashes also. In a crash, the laws of physics still apply. It is best practice to use a child restraint while riding in a taxi.

As for ride share vehicles like Uber or Lyft, it depends on how your state consider ride shares. Check out our article about Ride Sharing with Kids to see what the map says about your state. Some cities now have the option of requesting a car with a car seat. But these cars and what types of car seats they offer are limited so it’s recommended to bring your own.

What if my child is younger than age 2?

Unfortunately, in some places it is not uncommon for moms to strap themselves and their young children into the same seat belt when riding in taxis. We are sure the logic is something like, “they are safer in the seat belt with me than being without a seat belt at all and the seat belt doesn’t even come close to fitting them right when they use it by them self.”

  • In most places around the world, taxis and car services are exempt from any child seat laws that may be in place for the private person.
  • In a car crash the formula we use to estimate how much force is required to restrain the occupant is Speed X Weight = Restraining Force.
  • If you, as the mother, weigh just 125lbs (55kg) and are in a 10mph (16 kph) crash (which is not very fast at all) it would require 1940lbs (880kg) of force to restrain you.
  • That force is applied to you by the seat belt since the seat belt is what is holding you in place.
  • If there is a child between you and the seat belt then all of that force will be exerted on the child by your body. Not a good outcome for the child.
  • For an infant, use an infant carrier car seat that goes into a stroller (you are likely using anyway) and install the carrier in the taxi rear facing without the base.  Never  wear your infant with the seatbelt around both of you!
  • Putting the child in their own seat belt in the taxi next to you. At least they will have something but the lap part of the seat belt may cause abdominal injuries if is is a severe enough crash for them to slide under and out the bottom of the seat belt. Make sure to keep the shoulder belt in front of them, crossing their body as best you can make it fit. Sometimes sliding them all the way over toward were the buckle is helps with this.
  • The  safest alternative to using a conventional seat  would be using the RideSafer with the tether. We almost always recommend the RideSafer with a tether when we are talking about children at the low end of the age/size range especially of they are not even to reaching the lower limits set by the manufacturer. The reason for this is that you have the protection of the 3 points provided by the seat belt and two additional points of contact and restraint, one at each shoulder which also offer additional upper body restraint and support to keep the child in proper position. We understand that if you will be traveling exclusively by taxi it may not be practical to use the tethering option provide with the RideSafer but we do like parents to have the option.

grandparents and car seats

These car vests were great when my grandchildren came to visit me. I have a small car so it's a tight fit to have car seats or booster seats. My grandkids were able to put them on and get themselves all buckled up. It made it easy on me — I didn't have to squeeze into the backseat of my two-door car.

~ Andrea D. aka Nana

RideSafer in taxis

I use it when we travel mostly. And then it is a lifesaver during the school year as I carpool with 2 neighbors. It is such a great invention. I bought a vest for my younger daughter and a Bubble Bum for the older for a road trip. I'm planning on getting my older daughter a vest also. The Bubble Bum isn't comfortable for long rides. As far as cabs go, they are so easy. I just use the shoulder strap. I've never been comfortable ``Brittanying`` the kids in a cab and the vest is so easy to carry around if you have a large purse or backpack. It really is a godsend when in an urban setting. Even my parents can use it! lol!

~ Kristin K, mother

Tight spaces, lots of driving, multiple kids, oh my!

Gone are the days of needing multiple car seats for multiple cars. With the RideSafer® Travel Vest, you just need one vest per child!

Carpooling? Dropping off for school or a play date? Enjoying a date night while your child stays with the grandparents? Leave the RideSafer® Travel Vest with your child, and you won’t need to worry about who drops off or picks up — or if there are any rides in between.

Remember that statistic about how many car seats are used incorrectly?  A whopping 75%!  And every time you move the car seat from one car to another an opportunity arises for an incorrect installation.

With the RideSafer® Travel Vest, you can easily, comfortably and SAFELY fit up to three children in one row in your vehicle — even if one or two are in traditional car seats!

This means more elbow room, and maybe fewer squabbles! (A parent can dream, right?)

And BONUS! It saves you the hassle (and the cost) of upgrading to a larger vehicle!

RideSafer vest for carpool

Our son hates his car seat...always has. He has spent the last 6 years screaming every time we went anywhere, no matter how far away. He has cerebral palsy and needs a little help for his trunk support. This vest is fabulous. He loves riding in the car now. It was a night and day difference immediately. His comfort level is perfect now. I also feel that he is a lot safer since the vest holds him securely, better than the straps/buckles on the car seats.

~ Esther Lockerby, mother

Children with Special Needs need adequate safety and special considerations

 Parents of children with special needs may be challenged to find the right child restraint based on various physical or behavioral challenges each child experiences.

Many children with special needs exhibit disruptive behaviors, such as unbuckling themselves, as part of their disability. Proper restraint is important because these children often don’t understand the danger of roaming around the vehicle.

Children with special needs also have physical challenges which need to be worked around, such as sensory issues. Many parents say the RideSafer vest, made of soft fabric and padding, is like a hug or the weighted vest some of these children use.

Other children may have poor motor control and need the restraint to help them sit in proper position and stay in place. The RideSafer comes with a tether to help these children stay in position.

RideSafer tether for special needs

WILL THE RIDESAFER WORK FOR A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS?

The best answer for this is, “it depends.” As CPS techs we would find out more about your situation and recommend the best solution for keeping your child safe which may or may not include the RideSafer vest.

Many parents of children with special needs have found the RideSafer to be the perfect solution for their family. As you know there are many different types of needs and ranges within each one. We offer a 15-day free return policy if you want to try out a vest with your child and see if it will work for your needs.

WHAT IF I HAVE A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD OVER 110 LBS?

The large-size vest is certified to 80lbs. and the XL-size vest is certified to 110lbs. but that certification is based on the tether and lap-only belt configuration.

If someone is using the RideSafer and the vehicle’s lap-shoulder belt the RideSafer will continue to do what it is designed to do and properly pre-crash position the seat belt. Even though they would technically be outside manufacturer specs once they understand the design limits they have a parental choice to make.

Sometimes another product is the best solution. If your child has outgrown the XL, we would recommend the Merritt Manufacturing Churchill restraint .

A Vest?! Really?! How can a vest protect my child in a crash?

Your safety worries will melt away when your child is in the RideSafer!

  • RideSafer® positions a vehicle’s seat belt on your child so it moves with him, maintaining proper belt positioning throughout the ride. Plus, it repositions the lap belt below his abdomen, protecting those precious internal organs.
  • The vest safely holds the shoulder belt in place, and away from the neck, improving upper body restraint and ensuring your child feels comfortable and secured . This also removes his desire to tuck the belt behind his back or under his arm, an unsafe practice that often happens with a backless booster.
  • By keeping your child’s center of gravity low in the vehicle seat, RideSafer® changes crash dynamics, and reduces head and knee injuries. Plus, its innovative energy-absorbing foam means, in the event of a crash, energy will spread across your child’s whole chest as opposed to the two-inch area of a seat belt.
  • This revolutionary product has been crash tested  as a harness and meets or EXCEEDS all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 213) crash test requirements.

Let the RideSafer® Travel Vest give you peace of mind with its impressive crash performance for only…

$169-229 depending on size

RideSafer returns

The Manufacturer is So Proud Of the CRASH TEST Results, We Are Able to Post Them for You to See. Take A Look For Yourself:

The federal government sets performance criteria for how much crash energy is experienced by a child during crash. They do this by requiring the manufactures to crash test their own products and measure the results.

Not many — if there are any others — car seat manufacturers share crash test information. You can see this graphic RideSafer exceeds federal standards, in some cases by close to half.

Mind you when we say “exceeds” federal standards it means the numbers are well below what is allowed by NHTSA. It seems a little backwards. For instance, NHTSA standards allow a child’s head to move 32” forward during a crash. With the RideSafer, the head moves about 16” so nearly half of what is allowed. Less in this case is great! Any more than 32″ and the child restraint wouldn’t pass standards and wouldn’t be certified.)

RideSafer CRASH TEST Results

Crash Test Videos

For comparison, here is a booster seat crash test

Side view of the RideSafer crash test

Top view of the RideSafer crash test

RideSafer Travel Vest 4.89 stars, based on 550 reviews 169.00 149.00

Travel Car Seat Mom

Ride Safer Travel Vest review (2024)

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This review of the Ride Safer travel vest is written by certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Melissa Conn and may contain affiliate links.

We’re all about experiences over things, but sometimes things come along that makes the experiences a thousand times more enjoyable. That’s my overall impression of the Ride Safer travel vest car seat – for our family it has become an indispensable piece of travel gear as we’ve gallivanted around the globe with two young children. In this Ride Safer travel vest review, you’ll get my complete, honest opinions as a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) and a mom.

We have now used two different generations of the Ride Safer Travel Vest, the Ride Safer Delight travel vest and the current Ride Safer Travel Vest Gen 5 . Within the current generation we own three of the four sizes and in this review I’ll share photos on a variety of kids. We’ve spent many years with our vests, so I’ve had plenty of time to get acquainted with them!

You may have seen parents in Facebook groups refer to it by a range of almost-correct names: safe rider vest, rider safe vest, ride safe vest, rider safe travel vest, rider safety vest… I’ve seen pretty much every combination but the only correct one is Ride Safer Travel Vest.

Keep reading (and watching!) to learn how to use the Ride Safer travel vest, its pros and cons and how to decide if it’s right for your family. I’ll also share some information about the companion TravelSmarter booster seat.

DEAL ALERT! Save $11 off the Ride Safer Travel Vest with coupon ‘ VOYAGE ‘

Here’s a quick video review of the Ride Safer travel vest:

What is the Ride Safer travel vest?

safety travel vest

The Ride Safer travel vest is a wearable booster seat alternative for young children up through tweens. It works by bringing the seatbelt down to your child’s level rather than boosting her up.

Your child puts the vest on (like a clothing vest) and then you secure it using the industrial-strength velcro panel and metal buckle on the front. Once you get in the car, you’d buckle the seatbelt as usual but then thread it through the seat belt guides that are included on the lap and shoulder portions of the vest. The Ride Safer Travel Vest has fairly rigid support through the body, unlike a traditional booster seat that has no body support.

It meets or exceeds all crash test requirements and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for harness restraints, meaning the Ride Safer travel vest is legal throughout the US. It is still considered a booster seat, allowing much more mobility than a harnessed seat. You’ll have to use your judgement regarding your young child’s maturity and ability to stay in the proper position for the whole car ride.

There’s also an optional top tether that should be used whenever possible to limit head movement in an accident. It also help to keep younger riders from reaching for a toy or slumping when asleep in this kids seat belt vest. Having forgotten the top tether piece on a recent trip, I can tell you that it’s an essential piece (even for kids who are old enough for a traditional booster seat).

Want to know all my best secrets? Click here to learn how to travel with your car seat like a pro!

Who should use the Ride Safer Travel Vest?

safety travel vest

According to the manufacturer specifications, the Ride Safer Travel Vest Gen 5 will fit the following ages and sizes:

Ok, but what ages and sizes should use the Ride Safer Travel Vest?

As I mentioned in the introduction, we’re fortunate to have used two generations and several sizes of Ride Safer travel vest over the course of many years and many rides.

2023 update! In previous versions of this review I expressed frustration that the Gen 5 vest ran much larger than Gen 4 and didn’t fit kids as the size chart indicated. I’m thrilled to say that the manufacturer, Safe Traffic Systems, responded to sizing feedback and quietly change the design! The changes are significant enough that I wish they’d given it a new name or generation number. This is especially worth noting if you owned a previous vest or have been considering one for a while.

In the photo below, the original Gen 5 is on the left and the new Gen 5 vest is on the right. As you can see, the new version has a much wider range of length adjustability! The diamond-shaped panel can slide up and down along the harness and the velcro tab that determines the vest’s length can be affixed either to the diamond or basically anywhere along the back strap. On the old version we only had about 2″ of Velcro to work with, which translated to very little length difference.

Travel Car Seat Mom - Two black harnesses on a wooden table.

Here’s a comparison of the XS vest at its largest setting along with the new Gen 5 and old Gen 5 smalls at their smallest settings – don’t worry, you’ll see them on real kids in a minute! The XS Ride Safer Travel Vest has some additional considerations so look for that in the next section. In the middle you can see that I’ve also crossed the buckle over to the far side of the vest, which is now permitted to get a better fit on slim kids.

Travel Car Seat Mom - Three different types of harnesses on a wooden floor.

Here’s the updated Gen 5 Ride Safer Travel Vest size small fit. My cute nephew is 5 years old and around 43″ with an average build, while my sweet niece is 7.5 years old, around 46″ and slim. With the improved adjustability, an average sized 4 year old should be able to use the size small. I tried the small on my 9 year old – around 48″ and 60lbs – but it was too small on her.

Travel Car Seat Mom - A young boy sitting in the back seat of a car.

Not ready for the Ride Safer yet? Here are some great travel car seats for 3 year olds and 4 year olds to consider instead.

Many parents ask if they should buy the small or large Ride Safer Travel Vest for their child (there is no medium vest). Here are updated pictures of my own kiddos using the size large vest. At 48″/60lbs (left) and 53″/75lbs (right), the large fits great! My son still has plenty of growing room as well.

Travel Car Seat Mom - A young girl wearing the Ride Safer Travel Vest sits comfortably in the back seat of a car.

Ride Safer Travel Vest X-Small review

In this section, I’m going to address the Ride Safer XS vest that was released in 2022. It’s a bit of a different product and there are a host of considerations that aren’t as important for kids old enough to use the small through XL sizes. Remember, it’s still safer for kids this age to be rear facing in a convertible car seat .

If your kiddo is already 4, scroll down to the next section.

Ride Safer Travel Vest small vs x-small comparison

First, let’s look at a comparison between the Gen 5 Ride Safer Travel Vest XS (left) and the Small (right) and spot the differences:

safety travel vest

The overall concept is the same, but there are some critical changes here! First, the XS is obviously smaller. This photo shows the XS on its largest setting and the small on its smallest setting, and there’s still a pretty big difference. There’s just isn’t a ton of room on the back of the XS for the velcro torso length adjustment, so it has a much narrower range than the small.

Second, the small has a metal buckle at the waist while the XS has a similar buckle attached at the chest pads and only velcro at the waist. If you’ve never had one of these vests in your hands, the velcro is incredibly strong so don’t be concerned that kids are going to mess with it, nor that it would open in a crash. But that metal buckle on the chest? Genius.

It remedies the biggest issue with size small for smaller kids, which is that the shoulder straps can easily slide off of slim shoulders. I’d love to see this change on the Ride Safer Gen 6 vests! Not only does that “chest clip” give a better fit but it also prevents kids from deliberately getting out. Could a determined child unfasten it? Surely. But it’s an important first line of defense!

Finally, you’ll see that the shoulder belt guides on the x-small travel vest are exposed while they’re covered with fabric on the small. While the velcro on those flaps is pretty flimsy, I miss them on the XS. In their absence, curious fingers may be more inclined to play with the shoulder belt and potentially remove it from the guide.

Ride Safer Travel Vest XS fit to child

I’m excited to have a tiny new model to show off the XS vest! This little lady is just over 2 and on the short side. You can see that the XS fits her nicely. If she had been more compliant I would have used the crotch strap as well (more on that later).

Travel Car Seat Mom - A toddler wearing a safety vest in front of a car.

On the topic of curious fingers, let’s meet our second adorable XS vest model: my 3.5yo nephew – these photos were taken a few years ago, and you’ll see above that he’s now comfortably modeling the size small. At 3 he was 37.5″ and 33.5lbs – exactly average for height and just a little above average for weight. In these photos he was probably around 39″ and 35lbs – nearing the top end of the size range for XS.

safety travel vest

He juuuuust fit into the XS (right) and the crotch strap was very helpful for keeping the vest low with the lap panel on the tops of his thighs. By contrast, the small was so baggy through the shoulders that when he was fed up with modeling he slid his tiny shoulders through and pulled the whole thing down.

Is the extra-small Ride Safer Travel Vest right for your child?

safety travel vest

And therein lies rub… a child doesn’t need to be 100% booster-ready to use the vest, but he still needs to basically be a calm and compliant child even if a vest or other car seat makes him grumpy.

The XS Ride Safer Vest is marketed for 2 and 3 year olds, but that’s precisely the age at which kids beginning pushing boundaries and asserting their independence. Some kids, like my daughter photographed above at the same age, are total rule followers and will just sit where you place them and how you place them. Others – perhaps the majority – at 2 or even 3 will wiggle and squirm, sometimes for discomfort and sometimes to get a rise out of their safety-minded parents.

While my little niece looked like the perfect model above, before getting that picture she spent about 30 minutes sitting on the ground saying “I don’t like it!” when I showed her the vest. She wasn’t willing to put it on at all until after both of her older siblings had modeled for me. If you’re considering using the vest for a trip with a young or sensitive child, give yourself plenty of extra time to get them comfortable and situated.

Travel Car Seat Mom - A little girl sitting on the sidewalk with her hands on her face.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the CPST community is split on whether or not the XS vest should exist. Yes, it passes Federal crash testing both with and without the top tether. However, crash test dummies don’t move . In deciding whether or not your child is ready for the vest, you have to be honest about her behavior and developmental level.

There aren’t many situations where I’m inclined to steer parents to the XS vest versus a traditional travel car seat or the WAYB Pico , but here they are:

  • You have a calm, compliant, petite 3-4 year old and will be doing the sort of travel that just doesn’t work with a traditional car seat (like full-time travel )
  • You’re taking a 2 year old on a car-free vacation that only requires a taxi / Uber from the airport and an adult or teen will be sitting next to the toddler in the car

While the crotch strap is optional for all ages, I strongly recommend its use with the XS vest. Kids this age are prone to wiggling and the strap ensures that the lap belt stays nice and low on the thighs. Between that and the “chest clip” it’ll also remind kids that they’re in a car seat and shouldn’t be frolicking around the car.

When possible, I also recommend using the top tether. With that piece the Ride Safer Travel Vest passes the same testing that’s required of a forward-facing harness. Furthermore, you’re really limiting how much your young child can squirm out of position. In some countries (generally in the developing world) there are no top tethers, so keep that in consideration as you decide whether or not to travel internationally with the XS RSTV.

Finally, if you have no alternative but to use the vest and you think your child will try to wiggle too much you do have the option of locking the seatbelt at the retractor like you would when installing a car seat. Many countries (like Mexico ) don’t have that “switchable” retractor as a standard unfortunately but it’s mandatory in the US and Canada.

XS Ride Safer Travel Vest in the car

safety travel vest

So how does the vest do when you put an actual child in the car? It was actually pretty good for my little nephew at 3.5 and average height!

You can see that I managed to pull the vest down pretty far so that the lap panel is flat on his thighs. I’ve used the top tether and the crotch strap to limit the wiggles. If he had a little more room in the vest, sitting “criss-cross” would help the lap panel sit even flatter.

He’s right near the top of the size chart for the XS vest, and because he’s 3 he had no tolerance for trying the small in the car. It’s also worth nothing that in this vehicle he doesn’t have the appealing red button of the seatbelt buckle right next to him, but he would in a sedan or other bench seat. I’m confident that this little guy wouldn’t mess with it once told, but only you know how your child will handle that situation.

Travel Car Seat Mom - A little girl sitting in a car seat.

This is in a different vehicle, but you can see that the fit on his sister at age 2 is… less good. In theory this works: the lap belt is flat on her thighs and the shoulder belt crosses near her collar bone. But because she’s very small and the seatbelt is mounted high in this car, it hits her right in the face! There’s a good chance that she would (understandably) move the seatbelt out of position after a few minutes because that can’t be comfortable.

Travel Car Seat Mom - A child sitting in the back seat of a car.

Safe Traffic Systems offers the Travel Smarter backless booster seat that can be used with any size vest to improve the seatbelt fit. As you can see here, it does exactly that! There’s no chance of the lap belt riding up onto her “soft belly” and the shoulder belt is more appropriately positioned. She’s also able to benefit from the car’s advanced safety features like side curtain airbags since she’s higher up.

You can read my Travel Smarter booster seat review for more info. It’s incredibly light and comes with its own backpack that also fits the vest inside.

If you feel that the XS Ride Safer vest is right for your family, you can buy it here and save $11 with coupon ‘VOYAGE’.

How to put on the Ridesafer vest for kids

When you open the Ridesafer travel vest backpack, you’ll see a few different parts and you’ll need to make some adjustments. The great news is that you can fit it to your child before you need to use it in the car.

The components included in the box are the vest, a sometimes-optional crotch strap, the optional-but-highly-recommended top tether, the truly optional neck pillow and a convenient carry backpack. We ditched the pillow after just one use and the crotch strap once our kids got a little bigger.

Putting the vest on is pretty intuitive: open the buckle and the very sturdy Velcro panel in the front, then have your child slip his arms in. Tug the vest down, fasten the Velcro so that it’s snug but not uncomfortable and then fasten the metal buckle, adjusting the strap length as necessary – there’s no way that vest is coming undone on its own! To get the length right, turn your child around and open the Velcro on the crossing straps on his back. Adjust the vest until the bottom flap on the front is resting on top of his thighs (since it will hold the lap portion of the seatbelt in the proper position), then refasten the Velcro straps on his back.

The final (optional) step is to the thread the Y-shaped crotch strap through the two slots on the back of the vest on the bottom (one on each side), then pull between the legs and fasten snugly through the slot at the bottom of the front. While the crotch strap is technically optional, it’s important for preventing younger riders from “submarining” (sliding down and out of the vest).

We stopped using the crotch strap around 4.5-5 years old. It’s not long enough to use all the way to the top of the size range, but it’s also not necessary at that point.

You can see a hands-on demo of putting on the Ride Safer vest below:

How to use the Ride Safer vest in the car

The Ride Safer travel vest is very easy to use once you get it on your child.

Here are the basic steps to use the Ridesafer vest:

  • Put the vest on the child, making sure that the lower panel is over the tops of the thighs. It can help to “fan out” the two sides of the lap panel so that it sits flat.
  • Have child sit in the car and fasten seatbelt as normal.
  • Feed the lap belt through both metal guides in the lap panel of the vest, then pull snug across the lap. Don’t over-tighten the lap belt or it may start to bunch in the guide on the side away from the buckle.
  • Open the Velcro shoulder pad on the side where the should belt crosses and feed the shoulder belt through that metal guide, then pull snug and close the shoulder pad.
  • Attach the optional but highly recommended top tether to the shoulder straps using the two metal hooks (above the pads), then attach the other end to the car’s top tether point and pull the tail to remove slack .

If you’ll be using the Ride Safe travel vest in your own car or a rental car, you can leave it attached to the car when you get out! Just unbuckle the seatbelt and remove it from the lap belt guide on the buckle side before you unbuckle the waist strap. You can leave the tether attached at the shoulders and even leave the seatbelt threaded through the shoulder and the other side of the lap! As you become more experienced with the vest, it’s a real time saver.

Ride Safer travel vest FAQs

Yes, as long as it’s used in accordance with the directions the Ride Safer travel vest is legal in the United States. Please see more information on Europe , Australia and Costa Rica for additional guidance if you’re traveling to those places.

Yes, it passes FMVSS 213 testing just like all other car seats in the United States.

No. If your child is under 40lbs, the CARES harness ( full review here ) is an excellent complement that can be used on planes.

The RSTV is permitted in Canada as a medical device with prescription.

The Ride Safer Travel Vest has only been crash tested an approved with the Travel Smarter backless booster seat . Using it with any other booster seat (inflatable or otherwise) may be unsafe and in some cases illegal.

RideSafer Travel Vest Review Impressions

safety travel vest

Bottom-line upfront: we liked it enough to take it with us for a full year of travel. Yes, its that much of a game-changer. Now having returned, I have no regrets about that choice.

Now for my full thoughts: The Ride Safer vest is an awesome product that really delivers on its promise to make traveling with preschoolers and older kids easier without compromising safety. We took it to Europe without ever testing it at home, which was a risk for sure, but I figured it out pretty quickly. Our son barely complained during any of our car rides, though he’s generally pretty easygoing about car seat safety and is accustomed to riding in a forward-facing harness most of the time at home.

When we used it during our gap year trip, it was perfect for taxi rides in the cities because I could just roll it up and put it in our day bag. We also used it for some very long road trip stretches, and found it to be solid overall. There were times when our daughter slumped more than we would have liked when sleeping, and early in the trip the shoulder straps seemed a hair too long for her; however, a little gap at the shoulders isn’t necessarily a concern. In our long-term testing, she never complained about comfort despite some drives of 6 hours in a single day.

safety travel vest

Overall we’re very satisfied with our decision to bring the Ride Safer rather than our usual travel car seat. For kids who are mature enough and big enough to fit, we whole-heartedly recommend it in situations like ours where traveling light is the only practical solution .

It’s also a great alternative to a booster seat for taxi or Uber riders living in major cities or families on extended trips at age 4+, especially when many families would otherwise allow their children to ride unrestrained. Just throw it in the included backpack and let your kid carry it around! We’ve also found it indispensable for fitting 3-across in our small car when Grandma comes to visit.

Bubblebum (left) compared with Ride Safer travel vest (right)

If your child is younger or smaller, take a look at the WAYB Pico , which is an excellent folding car seat with a 5-point harness. If you travel infrequently and will just be taking a single flight and then renting a car, one of these travel car seats might be a good fit for your needs.

The RideSafer travel vest is also sometimes prescribed for children with special needs, especially now that there’s a size Extra Large available. It can be a great choice for older children and even teens who have outgrown the tallest harnessed car seat and still need more support than a traditional booster seat can offer.

What we like:

-Feels very well made

-Design has multiple fail-safe mechanisms

-Extremely compact (takes up less than half of a preschool-sized backpack)

-Easy to use, takes less than 3min to put on the vest and get the seatbelt in place (assuming your kid is a willing participant)

-More torso support than a backless booster, avoids booster rider slumping when asleep

-Adjustable sizing so it can last for several years

-Wide range of sizes now available, from XS to XL

What we don’t love:

-Can take some practice and tweaking to get the fit of the car seat vest  just right

-Crotch strap is almost too short for many kids, though its use is not required

-Getting the vest on the kid and then the kid in the car can get to be tiresome if you’re doing it several times per day, every day, for a whole year

-Lots of parts to keep track of (for a city family using the vest in a taxi, you can leave the headrest at home and save tons of space)

-The optional headrest is more trouble than it’s worth

-Not permitted to use on an airplane, so for a child under 40lbs you’d need to buy a CARES harness to make the airplane seatbelt safe

-Kids can’t see out the window (can be used with the Travel Smarter booster seat to give them a lift)

-The 2023 version now has a 5 year expiration, while earlier versions had a 10 year expiration

Final Thoughts on the Ride Safer car seat vest

portable car seat for travel

As you can see from my impressions above, there is room for small changes or additional features; however, our impression is overwhelmingly positive. I was especially pleased that, when used with the top tether, the car seat travel vest prevented slumping out of position while sleeping. If we had just brought a booster seat, our daughter would have been in an unsafe position. Moving from two bulky car seats to none on our gap year was absolutely epic (we use this one for our son since he was 6 years old by then – full review here ). I honestly don’t know how we could have managed without the Ride Safer travel vest .

While the Ride Safer vest is a little pricey for an item most families will use only occasionally, if your family travels often with older preschoolers or young school age children I can’t recommend it enough. It would be a fantastic choice for car-free families with kids ages 4 and up as well, as you can easily shove it in your purse or backpack for unexpected taxi rides.

We feel confident that the Ride Safer offers a safe alternative to either lugging a huge car seat around a city or relying on an unfamiliar car/driver to maybe offer car seats. Ready to buy your own Ride Safer vest? Get it directly from Safe Ride 4 Kids for amazing customer service and fast, free shipping! Use coupon ‘VOYAGE’ to save $11 on your order.

Key stats: -Weight 2lbs -Size small: minimum age 3, fits best for 30+ lbs and 35-47″ -Size large: minimum age 4, fits best for 50+ lbs and 45-57″

Pros: ✔ Rolls up to the size of a 2L soda bottle ✔ Perfect for taxi rides ✔ Lowers seat belt to provide an appropriate fit for young children ✔ Keeps kids properly seated better than a traditional booster seat – even when sleeping ✔ Easy to fit 3-across since it’s only as wide as the child ✔ 5 year expiration

Cons: ✘ No side impact protection like a highback booster seat ✘ Takes practice to get belt fit right ✘ NOT permitted for use on planes

Still not sure? Pin this for later to come back to it!

safety travel vest

Not sure what car seat to bring for travel? Find the best travel car seats by age

Our friends at Safe Traffic Systems and Safe Ride 4 Kids sent me several Ride Safer travel vest for kids to review; all opinions are my own. 

24 thoughts on “Ride Safer Travel Vest review (2024)”

Hello! What are your thoughts on this for a tall 7 year old who is complaining that cat seats are getting uncomfortable, but has ADHD and needs something to help him stay in his belt? He also falls asleep in the car and tips over so I am not anywhere close to a booster for him. Thanks.

The Ride Safer is a wonderful solution in that situation as long as he won’t unbuckle the seatbelt. Just be sure to use the top tether for extra support. I suggest size large given his age and height (the length and width are adjustable). Right now you can grab the vest for 20% off with coupon HOLIDAYTRIP20 .

Best, Melissa

You mention the RideSafer Delight when discussing the size of the vest as an option for smaller children. As I search for the Ride Safer Delight, I find options that say things like RideSafer Delight (Gen 5) and they look exactly like the Gen 5. Do you have any advice for finding the Delight or know what the distinguishing features are? I can’t find the Delight on the Ride Safer website.

Thanks for stopping by! The Ride Safer Delight was the official name for the Gen 4 vest – I don’t know why they moved away from the numbers for that one and then moved right back! Unfortunately the Delight is discontinued now and not available to purchase. Only the Gen 5 is available. Since most reviews on the internet still reflect the Delight, I wanted to make sure everyone understands the sizing difference. The easiest ways to tell the difference are: -Gen 5 has fabric covered loops on the tops of the shoulders rather than metal on the Delight -Gen 5 has a buckle that slides closed from the top rather than hooking across on the Delight

I hope this helps!

What are your thoughts, in terms of convenience and comfort, of using this INSTEAD of a booster?

My oldest (7) will outgrow his 5pt harness car seat soon and so I’ve started researching boosters etc when I stumbled on your review. I LOVE the idea of no more bulky boosters etc to deal with…just wondering if this is easy for kids to get in and out of on their own and if they’re more comfortable or as comfortable as boosters?

*not asking about safety differences! Just ease of use and comfort for every day use*

Thanks for stopping by! It’s an important question. While I love having the Ride Safer in my toolkit when I need it (travel, tight 3-across etc), it’s not something I’d choose for every day use if I could realistically use a different option. Getting a perfect fit can be tricky and requires fine-tuning.

I’m not sure if you know this, but there’s no evidence that a highback booster is safer than a backless booster. There are some crashes in which one is (theoretically) better and other crashes in which the other option may perform better. If your child is at least 50 pound (and can sit properly for the duration of the ride), the Graco RightGuide is the most minimalist option out there. I’m actually about to buy one myself to review, but I’ve heard excellent feedback from my colleagues. One downside is that shorter kids may not be able to see out the window in some cars. My son has also liked the Chicco GoFit , Graco Turbo GO and Bubblebum over the years.

Super helpful! Thank you so much for your reply.

Your review is so very helpful. I have a situation where on 2 days of the week I have 2 different nannies doing pick ups and drop offs making the car seat situation difficult. Would you recommend the safe rider travel vest for these 3 times per week 20 min rides? I have a 3.5 and 5 yr old (40 and 44 lbs respectively). I am just so worried about the lack of side impact protection, though I have read that many cars have high standards for side impact protect in the car itself. Would love to know your thoughts on this.

Thanks, Brandy

That’s a great question. The Ride Safer can be a little finicky to fit properly on the lap – it needs to be lower than most people think, with the lower flap sitting flat on the thighs. It would really depend on how confident you are in the nannies’ abilities to get the fit right and their attention to detail. When we had a nanny for our kids back in the day, I made sure to get the absolute simplest seats I possibly could for the kids to reduce the chance of installation or usage mistakes – remember, most parents don’t even get everything right with their car seats!

Can you tell me the kids’ heights? And do you feel like your 5yo is mature enough to ride in a booster seat on those trips? I’m happy to try to come up with some additional ideas if you don’t feel that the nannies could properly use the vest.

Safe travels, Melissa

Thank you for this great review! We are Americans living in the EU, car-free so we only need car seat for taxis and rental cars. My large 3-year-old (37 lbs, 39”) is THIS close to outgrowing her Cosco Scenera NEXT so we are trying to find our next seat. Hoping this will work. We looked at Wayb Pico but I don’t think it’s technically approved in the EU like Ride Safer is, and we have never gotten good at the locking clip (we try to use LATCH/Isofix now). Do you think this will work? Am I overthinking given she hasn’t been in a car in months? 😂

Thanks for stopping by! Unfortunately the current version of the Ride Safer isn’t approved for Europe either 🙁 That said, in your situation I might still opt for it. We know that it is a *safe* choice. Since you’re rarely in cars it does seem like the best option. I suspect that many European parents in your situation might choose to use nothing other than the adult seatbelt, which of course is not a safe choice, or a booster seat (also not a safe choice). Some of the details will also depend on which country you live in, whether you’re there on US government orders, etc.

Safe travels,

Hello, Thanks for this review. Is it mendatory to use the “TravelSmarter Delight Booster Seat” or can we use in any booster such as “bubble bum”? Thanks again.

Thanks for stopping by! Using the TravelSmarter Delight booster seat (thanks for pointing out the name change) isn’t required, but the Ride Safer travel vest HAS NOT been crash tested with the Bubblebum. They are not approved for use together.

Good morning

I have an 8yr old who had down syndrome. He is around 3ft 54ish pounds I ordered the small. Is that the correct size? I was also curious as to how you would use it in the winter time with the heavy jacket. I will be sending him to and from school with this Amy suggestions on how to make sure the teacher is comfortable putting him in the vest for the ride home from school. I do pick up and drop off only 5mins down the road.

Thanks for stopping by! If he’s truly 3′, it’s possible that you may not get a great fit even with the size small vest. It’s a little more “fiddly” to get right than a traditional harnessed car seat so anyone who is going to put him in needs specific training on how to get the lap panel FLAT on the tops of his thighs.

Is there a reason you opted for the vest rather than a traditional harnessed car seat? What sort of vehicle will he be riding in? It will probably be easier for a teacher to buckle him properly in a combination car seat.

As to the jacket, it’s very important that he (and you!) choose outerwear that’s not overly bulky for use in the car. In very cold climates I recommend having kiddo wear a fleece and then another jacket, and take the outer shell off in the car. Alternatively you can look at various “car seat safe” winter jackets. Here are tips for riding safely in the winter .

Please let me know if you have any other questions!

Drive safely, Melissa

Thanks so much for this thorough review! I have a 4.5 yo who is quite tall (46″), would be an average 5.5-6 yo. any thoughts on whether he needs to be in small or large? we would be using it for Uber/Lyft in the town we live. thanks!

The large is quite large. I recently evaluated it on a skinny 49″ 6yo and it was like a circus tent. Can you have him sit straight against a wall with his legs in front and measure from the top of his thigh to his shoulder? That’ll be the best way to determine the correct size.

Hi, My child is 5 years old but only 30 pounds, 40 inches which fall within the size recommendations for the XS and S. Which one would you recommend? Seems the chest strap and crotch strap on the XS are great, but since she’s 5, maybe there is not much room to grow, or it may be too cumbersome.

Thanks for stopping by! I would go with the S, as I fear the XS would already be outgrown by height. However, I’m not confident that your child will get a great fit with being so slender. I would strongly recommend using the top tether, which should help keep the vest up on her shoulders. Just be sure not to over-tighten!

Hi, I’m looking at this as the next step after a Clek Foonf in forward-facing mode/other forward-facing car seats for every day use instead of a traditional booster seat. I’m thinking a couple years ahead here. LO is currently 3yo (38mo), 38.75 inches tall and 36.8 pounds (82nd percentile for height). Extrapolating, LO should be about 41 inches by age 4 and 45 inches by age 5.

I’m thinking of this for when LO is 5yo or when they grow out of any of the three (yes three!!) car seats we are forced to own. (We have two nannies who each need a car seat their car, plus the Clek Foonf in our family car.) I’d like to quit having a herd of car seats, its associated costs, the necessity of knowing how to install three different car seats, and the need to remember three different heights for when LO will outgrow each car seat. I’d also like to not have to buy yet a fourth car seat for LO to ride in Grandma’s car.

The Ride Safer vest appears to be the only option available.

What are you thoughts here? I see you mentioned maturity of rider as a factor, but didn’t go into great detail about it. What age/maturity level is necessary for this? How do I know if my kid meets those standards? I also see you mentioned in a comment above that you wouldn’t choose this for every day use. What is the reasoning there? If this is really not indicated for daily use in regular, non-travelling life, what other options are there for having one restraint for multiple cars?

(I feel like I’ve asked you to write another blog post here! Apologies. I feel like there is a huge gap in information available about restraint options beyond forward-facing 5 point harness type seats.)

Hi Adrienne,

Thanks for stopping by! These are great questions. I’ll start from the bottom, as in some ways that’ll be easier.

We used it daily for over a year. It’s a fine and safe choice BUT you really have to make sure that the fit is correct each and every time – in particular that the lap belt is sitting basically flat on the tops of the thighs. As a mom and CPST, it’s no problem. But it’s not an option that I would casually send with other caregivers who may struggle or be in a hurry.

As for maturity, it’s really about sitting basically still (not like a statue, but always in position) despite the additional “freedom” the vest offers. A basic pre-condition for using the vest is that your kiddo would never ever ever consider touching the tempting red button that unfastens the seatbelt!

We had a nanny when our kids were little, so we had three seats for each of them (plus travel seats!). I get it. The good news is that booster seats are generally inexpensive and very easy to use correctly. They don’t even *have* to be installed, though attaching with lower anchors prevents them from becoming projectiles when empty so it’s recommended. We’ll have to see what options are available and what your family’s situation is when your child reaches booster age, but you should be able to grab $16 backless boosters for nanny cars (or travel) and they’ll just require a few minutes of instruction for safe use. Then you can pick up one nicer booster seat for your family car and call it a day!

Hi Melissa,

Yes, this helps immensely. Thank you for the thoughtful response. My main concern now is LO growing out of the car seats we have before being developmentally ready to sit without the five point harness. Tall child problems.

Many thanks!

We have a laid-back, patient 2 year old who is 38.5″ and 31 lbs. We’re planning a family reunion for August, when she will be 2.5 and SizeCast predicts she will be 40.5″ and 33 lbs. She’s almost outgrown her Cosco Scenera NEXT, and we are older and have health issues making it hard for us to move heavier car seats. She’s already gone through a “no to everything” phase and that seems over now (though could always return). She’s always been very good about obeying safety warnings so far.

We’re taking the train to our destination, and we’ll need to take a taxi or Uber to the airport to pick up a rental car. (BTW we’ve never used Uber, so we’d have to hope the app even installs on our ancient phones, figure out how to use it etc…or we could just use a taxi.) We can rent a car seat with the rental car (I think–need to confirm that), but we’re unsure what to do about the ride to the airport. We could

* hope the Scenera still fits by then (it “officially should,” but it really doesn’t seem like it will) * try to drag along the new car seat we got before this trip was planned, even though it weighs almost as much as she does * try a Ride Safer vest

Might a Ride Safer vest work for this? If so, what size? (I know at her age it should be XS, but I saw in the comments that the XS might be too small for 40.5″?) (The Wayb Pico seems cool, but we can’t afford it, especially not for just one trip. The Safety 1st Go Hybrid seems like it would’ve been what we need, but it’s long gone…)

What are your thoughts here? Thanks!

I’m really glad you stopped by! While the vest is technically approved, it’s not ideal at this age. I recommend that you take a look at the Evenflo Chase . It’s not a seat I typically recommend since it only harnesses to 40lbs and the booster mode isn’t great, but it does have a 50″ standing limit with high top harness slots. It’s also very budget-friendly and lightweight! You should get several years of use out of it given her build.

Let me know what you think or if you need another recommendation 🙂

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5 year old in ridesafer vest

RideSafer Vest | Travel Car Seat (Generation 5)

  • Lightweight, portable and convenient when traveling with kids. It can fit in your child's backpack).
  • Crash Tested and Safety Certified. RideSafer meets or exceeds Federal standards in FMVSS 21.
  • Vest comes with tether strap, crotch strap and carry bag.

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Return policy details.

Open Box items are discounted as they are products which were returned unused but perhaps missing some packaging materials. All Open Box items are hand inspected in our office to make sure they have all necessary parts.  No Returns on discounted Open Box items.

RideSafer Crash Test Videos

For comparison: Booster seat crash test

Side view of the RideSafer crash test

Top view of the RideSafer crash test

Additional RideSafer Travel Vest Information

• Easy to put on and use correctly every time

• Lightweight to carry when traveling with children

• Safety and convenience in taxis or ride shares

• A convenient option to switching car seats for carpools or multiple cars; only need 1 vest per child NOT 1 car seat per vehicle per child.

• Increased safety and comfort by allowing the child sit further back and lower on the more comfortable vehicle seat.

• A unique, 3-clip design positions the car’s seat belt comfortably and correctly with shoulder tether for consistent sitting position and increased security (tether is recommended for kids at least up to 5 years old; tether is required if using vest with lap-only belt).

• Adjustable straps allow for growth (up to the next size).

• Padding absorbs and dissipates crash energy from seat belt.

• Neck pillow sold separately. No longer included with vest.

RideSafer is the innovative, wearable child restraint that is easy-to-use, easy-to-carry & legal!

Extra Small size RideSafer Travel Vest : For this age of child, rear-facing is the safest option. We would only recommend using an XS RideSafer vest for special situations such as for travel or taxis/ride shares. Ideally an adult will sit next to the child to help keep the child in proper position. (The XS is designed for use by very slim 2-year-olds or very slim 3- to, maybe, 4-year-old children. Most 3- and 4-year-olds will fit best in a small size vest.)

Fit 3 in a Row!

Best of all, RideSafer allows parents to easily fit three children in the back seat, side by side, with no crowding — and no complaining! No need to buy an expensive new car just to accommodate your car seats; RideSafer’s slim profile keeps kids safe and comfortable.

Better than a Booster

RideSafer is the safe alternative to a traditional  booster car seat!  The RideSafer vest can be tethered to your car for optimum upper body restraint and our unique, 3-clip design positions and secures the seat belt exactly where it needs to be for each specific child—across the lap, not the waist, protecting vital internal organs, and across the shoulders, not the neck, eliminating uncomfortable rubbing and dangerous ‘sneaky slipping’ of the shoulder harness behind the child.

The RideSafer padded vest also disperses crash energy across a larger area of the child’s chest than the standard 2” seatbelt and keeps the child’s center of mass lower and further back in the seat than a traditional  toddler car seat,  which has proven safer in the event of an accident.

And, while car seats are installed incorrectly 3 out of every 4 times, RideSafer’s easy, intuitive installation eliminates the risk of incorrect usage when moving from car to car, making RideSafer the safer choice.

Portable and Packable

No more juggling heavy, cumbersome car seats and boosters—or worse, going without a car seat when traveling! RideSafer is your safe, portable travel car seat solution. Small enough to fit in a backpack or suitcase, RideSafer is a great on-the-go solution for kids in boosters and forward-facing 5-point harness seats.

A RideSafer vest makes it easier to justify bringing along a child restraint for the few taxi rides a family needs to take to their destination. Even at a resort destination like Disney World or a cruise, you need a proper child restraint for the ride between the resort and the airport to keep your child safe.

Since the RideSafer Travel Vest is easy to install in all cars, it takes away the worry of not being able to correctly install an unknown car seat in an unknown car; a challenge when renting a car seat on your family vacation. Not to mention, you know where it’s been. Parents often report about the dirty car seat rental car companies offer.

Safety Tested, Certified and Legal!

The RideSafer travel vest is designed for children ages 2 and up and meets or exceeds all crash test requirements and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for harness restraints (FMVSS213). In fact, the RideSafer consistently tests well below—sometimes by half or more!— the standard safety allowances.

FMVSS 213 is the federal standard which sets the performance criteria for child restraints. It requires that manufacturers measure crash energy at several different locations on an instrumented crash test dummy.

The RideSafer is tested as a harness as prescribed by FMVSS 213.

View RideSafer Crash Test Videos

RideSafer travel vest through the years

What Car Seat Challenges Does the RideSafer Solve?

•  travel with kids

• riding in taxis and ride share services like Uber or Lyft

• fitting 3 across a narrow car • carpools

• multiple caregivers doing drop-off/pick-up • children with special needs

  • Have a Question? Read the FAQs
  • Want Proof? Read the Reviews
  • Press and Media Mentions

Beware of counterfeit products

The manufacturer, Safe Traffic System Inc., is aware that harnesses that look similar to the RideSafer Travel Vest are available and can be purchased in many countries worldwide. We cannot attest to the safety of any product that is not labeled as "RideSafer" brand and manufactured by Safe Traffic System, Inc., Franklin Park, IL. If you come across what looks like a RideSafer and wonder if it is real or fake, please feel free to  email  STS pictures and information. They can confirm if it is the original RideSafer.

Open Box items are discounted as they are products which were returned unused — or lightly used for trying — but perhaps missing some packaging materials. All Open Box items are hand inspected in our office to make sure they have all necessary parts.  No Returns on discounted Open Box items.

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Our Adventure Journal

Our Adventure Journal

RideSafer Travel Vest Review

Our Review of the RideSafer Travel Vest

Last Updated on January 22, 2024 by Kelly

If you’re planning a trip with young children, you might be wondering how to best travel with a car seat. We were recently gifted the RideSafer Travel Vest to use for our trip to Europe, and it was an absolute game-changer .

The RideSafer Travel Vest was portable, lightweight, and easy-to-use. Instead of lugging around a clunky car seat, we were able to easily pack the RideSafer Travel Vest in our carry-on luggage. We primary used public transportation in Europe, but we used the RideSafer Travel Vest for short taxi rides. It was really easy to use on-the-go. In this post, we’re sharing our full review of the RideSafer Travel Vest .

Disclosure: I was gifted the RideSafer Travel Vest in exchange for an honest review. I am not a certified child passenger safety technician and I cannot make claims about the safety of this product. This post is for informational purposes only and reflects our personal experience using the product. This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

About the RideSafer Travel Vest

The RideSafer Travel Vest is a crash-tested and safety-certified travel car seat . It meets or exceeds Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for harness restraints (FMVSS213). The travel vest works by bringing the seatbelt down around the child, instead of boosting a child up as you’d see in a traditional car seat. 

The RideSafer Travel Vest is available in a variety of sizes . You’ll want to pay careful attention to the product specifications to choose the right vest for your child. Based on our daughter’s age, weight, and height, we used the size Small vest . 

The size Small vest weighs just 2 pounds, 12 ounces . The large vest weighs 2 pounds, 15 ounces.

The RideSafer Travel Vest is legal in the United States. Be sure to check your state requirements. Prior to travel, you should make sure that it meets legal specifications in other countries.

We personally used the RideSafer Travel Vest in Europe, although it has not been certified in Europe. We found this review helpful when we were deciding if we should take it to Europe. Please be sure to use your own discretion. 

safety travel vest

Where to Buy the RideSafer Travel Vest

You can purchase the RideSafer Travel Vest on their RideSafer website .

You can also purchase the RideSafer Travel Vest on Amazon . 

We took the RideSafer Travel Vest with us for our trip to Europe. We traveled to France and Spain, and the travel vest was extremely easy to use.

Before we left on our trip, we first practiced using the travel seat at home. One thing I really liked about the RideSafer Travel Vest was the fact that we could email the company and receive feedback on the correct use of the travel car seat. I sent the company some photos of our daughter buckled in our car with the RideSafer Travel Vest, and they were very kind in giving me feedback about how to make sure she was properly restrained. This gave us confidence before our trip, because we knew how to correctly position the RideSafer Travel Vest. I really appreciated the company going the extra mile to make sure that we were correctly using the vest!

Once we were in Europe, we were able to use taxis with the knowledge that our daughter was properly restrained. The RideSafer Travel Vest was very easy to use on the go. While we were waiting in the taxi line, we would place our daughter in the RideSafer Travel Vest. Once the taxi arrived, all we had to do was properly buckle her in the car. It took us just a few minutes to get her in the car, which was great!

Using the RideSafer Travel Vest in France (travel product for toddlers)

Pros of Using the RideSafer Travel Vest

(These are our personal opinions.)

  • One of the major benefits of using the RideSafer Travel Vest is that it is lightweight and easy to pack . We were able to easily place the travel car seat in our backpack. Instead of lugging around a heavy car seat, we were able to easily roam across Europe without it taking up too much space in our very limited carry-on allowance. We also packed it on our day backpack. If our legs were feeling tired and we wanted to take a taxi back to the hotel, we had the RideSafer Travel Vest conveniently with us.
  • I also really liked that we could put on the RideSafer Travel Vest while waiting for a taxi . Instead of spending a lot of time installing a car seat every time we took a taxi, we could do half the work while waiting in line. Each time we needed a taxi, we would put the vest on our daughter. Once the taxi arrived, it didn’t take too long to safely secure the vest. Using the RideSafer Travel Vest was super time-efficient!
  • Finally, the RideSafer Travel Vest was fairly easy to use . We watched videos on how to use it correctly, and once we had it down, it was very straight-forward.

Using the RideSafer Travel Vest in France

Cons of Using the RideSafer Travel Vest

  • Purchasing the RideSafer Travel Vest is an additional expense . At the time of this writing, the RideSafer Travel Vest costs $169 (not including shipping). You probably already have a regular car seat for your child, so you’re really paying for the convenience of having a smaller car seat. In my opinion, I think it’s worth the cost if you plan to use it multiple times.
  • You’re probably used to a traditional car seat, and the RideSafer Travel Vest will require you to learn how to properly use it . We found it pretty straight-forward to use, but you’ll want to take the time to learn how to properly use it.
  • Even though it meets or exceeds Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for harness restraints, it may take some time to get adjusted to the idea of a vest.
  • The RideSafer Travel Vest has minimal head support, so we didn’t think it was a great option for kids that like to take naps in the car. 

Our Verdict

Here’s our personal thoughts about the RideSafer Travel Vest:

The RideSafer Travel Vest is a travel “car seat” that is legal to use in the United States. At under 3 pounds, the RideSafer Travel Vest is lightweight and easy to pack for travel. The RideSafer Travel Vest can be easily stowed in carry-on luggage, and the RideSafer Travel Vest is easy to use. 

We are so glad that the RideSafer Travel Vest exists! It made traveling to Europe with a 3-year-old so much easier. Safety is definitely a priority when we travel, so we were happy to know that we always had a harness restraint with us should we need one. (We never had to depend on renting a car seat or ordering a taxi ahead of time that had one installed, only to find out that there were none available.)

We would definitely recommend the RideSafer Travel Vest to others based on our experience!

If you’re traveling with young kids, be sure to check out our complete list of our favorite products for traveling with babies and young children . We’ve personally tested all of the products on this list!

For babies, we highly recommend the Doona Car Seat/Stroller Combo . For toddlers, we also really liked the WAYB Pico Car Seat .

Pinterest pin for RideSafer Travel Vest

Disclaimer :  We always strive for content accuracy.   Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.

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Hi, I’m Kelly!

After studying abroad in Spain, I became passionate about international travel. Since then, I’ve traveled to 6 continents and 36 states within the United States. When I’m not travel blogging, you can find me hiking, reading books in Spanish, or playing cribbage. I hope my blog inspires you to see the world!

Tossa de Mar Travel Guide

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What’s the RideSafer Travel Vest?

by Michelle Pratt | Aug 22, 2023 | Big Kid , Choosing a Seat , Travel | 0 comments

ride safer travel vest

Car seat safety should never take a back seat. Even if you’re traveling abroad, navigating city transportation, or squeezing your kids into a 3-across situation , car seat safety must remain a top priority. However, there are situations where meeting all the safety requirements doesn’t feel practical or even possible. 

The folks at Safe Traffic Systems saw this problem and realized thousands of families were opting for unsafe travel solutions due to various transportation challenges. So, they created the RideSafer Travel Vest , which is an alternative to traditional boosters. Here’s what you need to know about the RideSafer Vest:

What’s the RideSafer Travel Vest?

The RideSafer Travel Vest functions as a belt-positioning booster. Unlike a traditional booster seat that lifts the child up to properly position the seat belt, the vest actually brings the seat belt down to properly fit the child. It looks very different from the car seats and boosters we’re used to. But it is compliant with all National Highway Traffic Safety Association guidelines, including FMVSS 213 . 

The RideSafer Vest comes in sizes XS – XL, fitting children from 22 lbs – 110 lbs. However, we always recommend children be rear-facing as long as possible . We do not condone the use of the RideSafer Travel Vest until at least age 4, except in some special circumstances that we’ll talk about below! 

This child restraint system may look complicated, and the initial setup can be finicky. But once the vest is fitted correctly to the child, it’s no more difficult on a day-to-day basis than buckling a traditional 5-point harness! However, since you have to size up your RideSafer Vest every 30 lbs or so, it’s definitely not cheaper than traditional for long-term use. 

So, what is the appeal of the RideSafer Vest ? We’ll discuss a few reasons the RideSafer Vest might be right for you:

3-Across Situations 

Some parents need to put three car seats in one row . This can be difficult with a large SUV or van, let alone a compact car ! There are plenty of car seats out there that work with 3-across situations . But if you’re struggling to find a configuration that works, RideSafer Vests can be a favorable alternative to poorly installed or poorly fitting car seats for the sake of the 3-in-a-row configuration . 

Frequent Travel (Especially International) 

When you travel by plane, car seat safety doesn’t just go out the window! We abide by FAA recommendations, which state that any passenger under 40lbs should ride in their FAA-approved harnessed car seat on planes. But what about those big kids?! Belt-positioning booster seats can’t be used on airplanes. But even if a child is big enough to safely fit the airplane seatbelt, they still need a safe solution at their destination until they pass the five-step test .

Parents have a few options for their booster-ready fliers. They can choose a high-back booster that folds small enough to go in the overhead bin, or they can have their child carry a backless booster on board as their personal item and store it under the airplane seat. Or the parent can store a RideSafer Travel Vest in a carry-on bag and just unfold it at the destination, ready to go!

A RideSafer Vest can be a great way to bring a safe child restraint system with you, without the hassle of a bulky car seat or booster. (However, the Wayb Pico Portable Car Seat is a better solution to this problem for 2-5 year olds, in our opinion. Read our Wayb Pico Review here .) You can learn more about safe airport travel on the blog and through our Wheels Up Course . 

Taxi and Rideshare Commutes 

If you frequently use city transportation like taxis or Uber, the RideSafer Vest is a great way to ensure your child stays safe on every commute. It’s true that some rideshares have a car seat and booster seat option, but we don’t recommend using these! You don’t know how the seat has been installed, cleaned, and utilized over the years. So there’s no way to determine that it can do its job and protect your child in a crash. With a RideSafer Vest , you can be certain of your child’s safety in the back of a cab or rideshare without needing to schlep around a large car seat!

Carpools or regular vehicle hopping may be another reason to use a RideSafer Vest . If you have younger children joining a carpool, using a car seat or booster may not be possible or practical. They can’t take their bulky seats to school or daycare with them. However, they could take a RideSafer Vest with them, as long as the driver knows how to properly buckle them. (Here are more carpool tips .) 

Young Children Over 65 lbs

Currently, the highest harness weight limit commercially available in the US and Canada is 65lbs — and the minimum recommended age for safe booster seat use is 5 years old. So what options are there for younger kids who outgrow their harnessed car seats before they’re booster-ready?!

There are adaptive car seat options out there with higher harness limits. But these are incredibly expensive, difficult to obtain, and usually require a prescription from the child’s doctor as well as input from a car seat technician with extra training for these situations. Heavier children who don’t have a specific disability or medical diagnosis may not qualify for insurance coverage of these specialized car seats at all.

Fortunately, the RideSafer Travel Vest can be a useful tool when we need to fill this gap in the conventional market!

While the RideSafer Travel Vest is a belt-positioning product, and we don’t normally recommend it before age 4, it can be the best option for kids aged two to four who have outgrown all the standard harnessed car seat options. Parents can use the top tether attachment that comes with the vest. And they can lock the vehicle seatbelt to help the child stay in place. So the child doesn’t have as much freedom of movement as they would in a regular booster.

And thanks to its extended sizing up to 110lbs, it can be a good option even for older kids who have certain disabilities or behavioral challenges that make it difficult for them to sit correctly in a traditional booster — either while a family waits months for an adaptive seat. Or, in some cases, to replace the need for an adaptive seat altogether. Please note: we strongly encourage parents of children who need unconventional vehicle travel accommodations to contact a child passenger safety technician with training in special circumstances to get help finding the best option for their child!

How To Use Ridesafer Travel Vest

safety travel vest

Step One: Install the top tether.

That top tether will be the first thing we’ll install! Attach the side with a single hook to the top tether anchor on the back of the vehicle seat (refer to your vehicle manual if needed). Place the Y-shaped side of the top tether through the headrest bars and leave it for now. 

P.S. If you have an older vehicle with lap-only seatbelts, you will need the top tether to use the RideSafer Vest. Another reason to make sure you get that tether! 

Step Two: Fit the vest and crotch strap onto your child. 

Next, put the vest on your child. The vest is made up of a variety of adjustable straps and loops to get the best fit. However, it doesn’t need to be tight like a car seat — as long as we get that perfect seatbelt fit!

Buckle the center panel, adjust the back straps, and fasten the crotch strap. The crotch strap should be threaded through a loop on the bottom panel and velcroed between the legs. Each of the straps and panels should have a neutral tension on the child. Not too loose, not too tight. 

Step Three: Ensure the bottom panel is resting on your child’s thighs. 

Now your child is ready to get in the car for the rest of the adjustments. Place them in their seat and ensure the bottom panel is resting on top of your child’s thighs, not on their stomach with the center panel. 

Step Four: Thread the seat belt through the vest and buckle.

Next, go ahead and buckle the seat belt as usual. Then, attach the lap belt to the clips on the bottom panel. And then attach the shoulder belt to the clip on the shoulder strap. You’ll find the shoulder belt clips under a velcro panel with the “RideSafer” logo on it. And you can slide this hardware up or down on the vest panel to achieve the right placement. These clips are the most important part of the vest because it properly fits the seat belt to the child’s body. 

Step Five: Attach the top tether to the vest.

That top tether should be hanging out behind your child’s neck just below the headrest. Attach those clips to the metal loops on the back of the RideSafer Vest. The top tether feature helps keep the child seated upright — it’s the reason the vest provides a bit more movement restriction than a normal booster seat. And it’s why the vest can be the best option for younger kids who’ve outgrown all traditional harnessed car seats! You can also lock the vehicle seatbelt as an extra measure of positioning support.

Step Six: Remind your child how to sit safely. 

safety travel vest

If your child is used to a 5-point harness seat, the RideSafer Vest will be a big change. Though it provides some support, maintaining the right body position is much harder in the RideSafer Vest . Your child’s legs don’t yet bend over the front of the seat. So many kids naturally slouch and wiggle forward to get comfortable, creating a huge (and dangerous) gap between them and the vehicle seat. Instead, encourage your child to sit criss-cross-applesauce if that’s more comfortable. (This isn’t an option in a normal booster because it can cause a dangerous lap belt fit. But the vest can keep the seatbelt in the proper position even with the child’s legs crossed.)

Remind your child how to sit upright and maintain good positioning. If you feel like your child can’t keep the correct posture, the RideSafer Vest is not the best choice for your family . This is one of the big reasons we don’t recommend it for younger kids. Though the RideSafer Vest technically fits a wide age range, it’s definitely not the right fit for every child. This is why we think a traditional booster or car seat is all-around a better option for most families. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Pratt, CPST (@safeintheseat)

A RideSafer Vest is a safe booster seat alternative, but it’s not right for every family. 

The RideSafer Vest was definitely needed in the market. It fills an important niche for travel, challenging 3-across car seat configurations , or children who can’t use traditional booster seats. And using it in a taxi, rideshare, or carpooling situation is better than graduating to a seat belt too soon . However, it’s not a replacement for traditional harnessed car seats or booster seats. And in general, we’d recommend using more traditional restraint products whenever appropriate. There is a reason for this awesome invention, but make sure it’s right for your family before making the purchase. 

Our Full Ride Safer Travel Vest Review: click here

If you’re looking for more info about car seat safety and different types of car seats , visit the Safe in the Seat blog and Instagram . We share expert advice on car seat safety every day to keep your whole family safe in their seats! 

Affiliate links are included above. Safe in the Seat earns a small commission when you purchase through these links with no cost to you. We so appreciate your support.

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11 BEST Travel Vests [2023 Guide!]

safety travel vest

Travel vests have earned a place on many frequent traveler’s kit lists because they can be so extraordinarily useful when out and about and away from home.

We all have those bits and pieces we need to keep with us when we’re traveling – from passport and cash to memory cards, earphones, and maps. The only real alternative to a travel jacket is a pair of pants with a hell of a lot of pockets or a backpack.

Brands big and small have cottoned on, and there are now a whole range of different designs and patterns on the market? So which should you choose? We’ve sorted the best of the bunch and present them to you below.

Quick Summary: The Best Travel Vests

#1 –  Columbia Silver Ridge

Best men’s travel vest.

Columbia Silver Ridge

Why does the Silver Ridge make it to our top stop of best men’s travel vest? Well, we think this travel vest by Columbia offers the best combination of utility, flexibility, and style!

It has a sleek slimline design which means you could easily where this about your home town within looking out of place, but the vest still offers a good number of pockets, as well as other features.

Made from durable ripstop nylon, the vest includes mesh pockets, zippered security pockets, and hand pockets too. On top of that, the vest is constructed with Omni-Wick moisture technology to keep you dry in the heat, and contains UPF 50 blocking power too!

  • Great combination of utility and style
  • Good number of pockets
  • Comprises Omni-Wick and UPF 50 technology
  • Pockets aren’t as large as other vests
  • No RFID protection
  • Polyester abrasion resistant fleece
  • Cold wash only

Is the Columbia Silver Ridge for you?

A solid travel vest purchase is ever there was one, Columbia’s Silver Ridge looks great one, and many of the features you’d expect to see on a travel vest, from pockets to weather protection. If you’re looking for a men’s travel vest, this should definitely be your first port of call!

Recommended – Want to get your kayak on? Have a peek at our list of the coolest inflatable kayaks on the market!

#2 –  ExOfficio Flyq Lite

Best women’s travel vest.

ExOfficio Flyq Lite

Matching the men’s Silver Ridge in the style stakes is the Flyq Lite by ExOfficio (which also comes as a men’s version). But the Flyq Lite is also a vest that is lightweight and packs down very easily into a bag when you don’t need it.

Despite the sleek shape this vest comes equipped with 11 (yes, 11!) different pockets, including one for your hands, another with RFID protection to secure credit cards and personal data against scanning attacks, and one intended for sunglasses that is lined with microfleece to prevent scratching.

Microfleece also lines the collar, for a soft feel against the skin of your neck!

  • More than 10 pockets
  • RFID protection
  • Microfleece in sunglasses pouch and around neck
  • No main zipper shield
  • No all pockets zippered
  • Lacks UPF blocking

Is the ExOfficio Flyq Lite for you?

If you’re a woman who wants to maintain her style while traveling, but also wants all the advantages a travel vest offers, the Flyq Lite by ExOfficio would make a fine choice for you. As well as the good-looking design, there’s everything you could want in a travel vest, including RFID protection!

Recommended reading – Looking for an incredible travel daypack? These are the best daypacks for travelers.

#3 –  Fox Fire Thunder River

Best travel vest for hot weather.

Fox Fire Thunder River

Hot weather brings with it its own set of issues, but you still have to have something to help store all those little bits and pieces you need while traveling.

For that reason, you’re going to want to find a travel vest specifically designed to help you cope with what the sun can do! The fact this vest by Fox Fire is made from natural cotton means it’s breathable, light to wear, and kind to the skin.

The back of the vest is also partially made from mesh for even better ventilation. The Thunder River vest boasts a good number of differently sized pockets too, so there really is a place for everything!

  • Specifically designed for hot weather
  • Natural cotton
  • Mesh back for ventilation
  • Lots of different sized pockets
  • Shortened main zipper
  • Waist adjuster may irritate some

Is the Fox Fire Thunder River vest for you?

Specifically designed for those time when heat can become a problem – hiking and safari – its no surprise this is our go-to travel vest for the hot weather! Fox Fire has managed to create a perfect balance between lightness for the heat, and pockets – the reason you were looking for a travel vest in the first place.

Editor’s Note – Check our these amazing travel hammocks for all budgets!

#4 –  Gihou Lightweight Denim Vest

Best lightweight travel vest.

Gihou Lightweight Denim Vest

Denim might not always be considered the lightest of materials to use for a lightweight travel vest, but don’t let that thought put you off this travel vest by Gihou!

With a slightly more utilitarian look than some of the other travel vests on our list so far, the Gihou makes an excellent option for those getting out into the wilds. It has an incredible 16 pockets, four of which are hidden internally.

They come in all different shapes and sizes, and a combination of zippered and Velcro closures, providing a good mix of security and ease of access. There are also a couple of metal D-loops by the shoulders for hanging or connecting items such as keys.

  • Lightweight denim design
  • Good for the outdoors
  • 16 pockets, 4 internal
  • Zipper and Velcro closures
  • Utilitarian look
  • Mid-length design
  • 80% polyester + 20% nylon

Is the Gihou Lightweight Denim Vest for you?

If you’re looking for a travel vest that’s going to have no trouble dealing with time in the great outdoors, this travel vest by Gihou is a great option. Though made from tough denim it is also lightweight, and offers its users an incredible array of pockets of varying sizes and closures!

#5 –  Izod Spectator

Best fleece travel vest.

Izod Spectator

The Izod Spectator travel vest crosses the divide between travel wear and casual wear – to great effect. Comprising of an on trend two-tone design that won’t have you feeling like you stand out, there are three pockets built into this travel vest.

There’s a nice high collar which will keep any draft away from your neck, and a full-length zipper which will help with controlling your temperature whatever the weather is going.

Comfortable, and lightweight, this fleece travel vest will keep you snug, and allow you to carry those essentials without the need for another bag.

  • Lined with fleece for warmth
  • Full length zipper
  • Lightweight
  • Just three pockets
  • Not for hotter destinations
  • Fit is a little large

Is the Izod Spectator for you?

With warming fleece, the Izod Spectator travel vest is an ideal purchase for anyone who expects to find themselves hanging around in places that might turn a little on the cold side. Its three pockets can’t match the 16-26 of other travel vests on our list but should provide more than enough space for all your absolute essentials.

safety travel vest

We are obsessed with backpacks – we’ve tried them all! And our favourite carry on backpack in the WORLD is the Nomatic Travel Backpack.  This backpack has revolutionized the backpack industry and will change the way you travel forever :) Check it out here!

#6 – Weekender Traveler Air

Best of the rest.

Weekender Traveler Air

The Weekender Traveler Air is another of our more utilitarian travel vests. Firstly, its quick drying and resistant to stains too, meaning you can use it without worrying that you’re going to cause any permanent damage.

It has adjustable side straps to ensure personalized comfort, as well as shoulder padding and rubber shoulder grips to help prevent rubbing with or without an added backpack.

There are large areas of mesh to help with ventilation and breathability, and good-sized pockets that take up the majority of the space on the jacket’s front, truly providing space for anything you might need to hand while out and about.

  • Quick to dry
  • Stain resistant
  • Side straps
  • Large pockets
  • Shortened zipper
  • Pockets are quite bulky

Is the Weekender Traveler Air for you?

The Weekender Traveler Air is a good all-round travel vest for getting into the wilds. Breathable, stain resistant and quick drying, the weather won’t hold any problems for you, while the front is full-to-bursting with large pockets that can take everything you can possibly need, from camera equipment to fishing tackle!

P.S. – Protect your cash while traveling with our EPIC guide to the most awesome travel money belts!

#7 – Autumn Ridge Traders Safari Vest

Autumn Ridge Traders Safari Vest

As a specifically designed safari travel vest, you can be sure this vest by Autumn Ridge Traders is ready for the heat of the African plains should need be.

The vest’s back panel can be removed and zippered into a pocket to reveal a ventilating mesh, while the 100% polyester construction makes this safari vest water resistant and quick drying. And as for pockets?

The Safari Vest has 16 different pockets to choose between, from smaller pockets suitable for SD cards to much larger ones that would easily take a compact digital camera. Closed by a mixture of zippers and Velcro, you can be sure your stuff will always be safe as well as being close to hand too!

  • Dedicated safari vest
  • Removable back panel
  • Polyester construction

Is the Autumn Ridge Traders Safari Vest for you?

Not surprisingly – as it made it to our list in the first place! – the Autumn Ridge Traders Safari Vest is another great option travel vest. Specifically intended for use on the hot plains for safaris, this travel vest nicely blends the need to keep cool and the desire to leave nothing essential behind as you head out.

#8 – SCOTTeVEST RFID Travel Vest

SCOTTeVEST RFID Travel Vest

With versions for both men and women, the SCOTTeVEST RFID Travel Vest has more features than the headline RFID protection that will keep your personal and credit card details safe from digital hackers.

Fully machine washable, this vest includes a Teflon coating which makes it both water and stain resistant, for instance. There are an incredible 26 pockets overall, including a clear windowed pocket intended for your touchscreen smartphone.

There are also hidden spaces that allow you to thread through a pair of earphones without having the wires endlessly flapping about and getting caught up. That’s what we call a travel vest!

  • Men and women’s versions available
  • Teflon coated
  • 26 tech-friendly pockets!
  • No for going on safari
  • No zipper shield
  • Fit a little off

Is the SCOTTeVEST RFID Travel Vest for you?

This is a great travel vest for tech lovers due to features such as the clear windowed smartphone pocket among its 26 pockets, and special passage for earphone wires too. But its RFID blocking and protecting capabilities means this is a serious contender as a travel vest for anyone who travels with credit cards or passport – which, let’s face it, is all of us!

Pro Travel Tip  – Travel pillows are a game changer. Check out our pro guide to the best travel pillows.

#9 – AyeGear V26

AyeGear V26

The AyeGear V26 is the only travel vest on our list that is officially designated as unisex in design, but that takes absolutely nothing away from the quality of this travel vest.

Breathable and machine washable, the AyeGear V26 consists of 26 different pockets, spread between offering access internally and externally. There’s a dedicated smartphone pocket which allows you to use your screen without having to ever remove the phone from its pocket.

There’s also a pocket at the rear capable of taking a 12” laptop or tablet, though we think this is more for when holding the vest in your hand rather than when wearing it. All the same, the AyeGear V26 has some clever features – did we mention the retractable cord for keys?

  • Machine washable
  • Touch sensitive smartphone pocket
  • 26 pockets overall
  • Only available in black
  • Laptop pocket not really useable
  • Not for the great outdoors

Is the AyeGear V26 for you?

It’s difficult to argue against a travel vest that boasts a combined internal and external pocket count of 26, including a touch-sensitive pocket specifically designed for using a smartphone without the need to hold it! But what’s more, the AyeGear V26 is also breathable and machine washable. What more could you possibly want?

#10 – Rothco Undercover

Rothco Undercover

Coming in a choice of three colors – black, khaki, and olive drab – the Undercover travel vest by Rothco is a subtle and unflashy vest, which is no bad thing when you’re traveling in an unknown place.

There are a dozen different pockets of various sizes to choose between, including a hidden pocket on the inside of the vest intended to fit your passport or other valuables such as your credit cards.

There’s also a tablet sized pocket for keeping your electronics secure while on the move, and pass-through ports so the wires of earphones can be threaded through the vest without them hanging and getting in the way.

  • Subtle styling
  • Hidden passport pocket
  • Ports for threading through earphones
  • No zipper weather shield
  • Not water proof

Is the Rothco Undercover travel vest for you?

We like the subtle styling of the Rothco Undercover travel vest, which won’t drawer any undue attention your way while you’re traveling. There’s a good number of pockets, including an all-important hidden passport pocket, and a handy port system for keeping your earphones out of the way too!

#11 – Beat The World Travel Vest

Beat The World Travel Vest

This vest by Beat The World intends to be all things to all men – the travel jacket that no man can do without. Does it achieve this? We think it comes pretty close! First, there’s the brilliant price point.

Then there’s the huge range of colors the travel vest is available in – want a bright red travel vest? No problem! Then there’s the fact this is a lightweight number, weighing just a few ounces.

And then, of course, there are the pockets, securable with metal zippers for extra safety while moving about!

  • Good all-round travel vest
  • Excellent price
  • Wide range of color options
  • Zippered pockets
  • Intended for men only
  • 90% polyester + 10% nylon
  • Fit runs large
  • Less durable than other vests on our list

Is the Beat The World Travel Vest for you?

Need a good all-round travel vest? One you can use while out hiking, out in the yard, or while doing the DIY? Then it’s difficult to beat the Beat The World Travel Vest! The pockets with metal zippers will keep anything you want to keep close nice and safe, while the expansive color range means you can still express your own personality at the same time.

Which is the best travel vest for you?

We’ve selected the best travel vests on the market and put them all in one place to save you the time and effort of having to do this yourself! From big brands such as Columbia to newer or lesser known brands, each of the travel vests you find here has made it onto our list with good reasoning in mind. The only real question that remains is which is the best travel vest for you?

Editor’s Note  – No matter where you are traveling, you NEED to have  great travel insurance . We have personally tested TONS of travel insurance companies, and can say without a doubt that World Nomads is the absolute best (and most affordable!). Fill out the form below to get a quote.

***Disclaimer*** Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you book your accommodation through the site, One Weird Globe will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you . Your support helps me keep the site going :)

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Identifying predictable risk factors (incorrect car seat installation, failure to be restrained, etc.) and yearning to suggest preventive solutions for crash fatalities to children, Hoon Y. Kim founded Safe Traffic System (STS) in Franklin Park, Illinois in 2000.

Built on that principle and through numerous innovative structural variations in conventional child restraints, STS launched its 1st generation of RideSafer® in 2004, creating a big buzz among child safety professionals and the media.

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Car Seats For The Littles

RideSafer Delight Travel Vest Gen5 Review

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RideSafer Travel Vest GEN 5

The RideSafer Delight Travel Vest is an updated version of the Ride Safer Travel Vest, which came in two versions: the RideSafer Travel Vest 2, and the RideSafer Travel Vest 3, or RSTV 2 and 3.  While both versions were quite similar, there were some notable differences between them .  Today’s version of the vest is lighter and has a lot to offer.

The RideSafer Gen5 combines some of the best features from the previous versions in an updated form that’s even smaller and lighter than its predecessors.

CSFTL Quick Stats

Size: Small

  • Ages: 3-6 years. This is the manufacturer’s minimum age.  CSFTL doesn’t typically recommend this vest for children quite that young – we’d suggest it for Littles who are closer to their 5th birthdays and older.
  • Weight range: 30-60 pounds
  • Height range: 35-50 inches tall

Size: Large

  • Ages: 5-10 years
  • Weight range: 50-80 pounds
  • Height range: 45-57 inches tall

Size: X-Large

  • Ages: 8-10 years old
  • Weight: 80-110 pounds
  • Height: 47-62 inches tall

The vest is also available in size XS.

We have some concerns about the XS (that’s why we’re mentioning it after introducing the larger sizes), it’s not our first choice for restraints for a child who is that small but we do understand that families who ride in taxis a lot or travel internationally are using them so we want to acknowledge that this niche product does exist and share the age, weight, and height guidelines for its use.

Size: X-Small

  • Ages: 2+ CSFTL doesn’t typically recommend this vest for children quite that young – we’d suggest it for Littles who are closer to their 5th birthdays and older.
  • Weight range: 22-44 pounds
  • Height: 30-45 inches tall

safety travel vest

Measurements

  • Weight: about 1.5 pounds

Carpooling Essentials

safety travel vest

RideSafer Gen5

RideSafer Gen5

The latest version of the RideSafer is Gen5.  Like previous versions, the latest version can be used with or without the top tether, though we’ll always advocate that the top tether be used.

RideSafer Gen5 backpack

RideSafer Gen5 backpack

The RideSafer Gen5 has a very sporty, easy-to-use backpack that makes carpooling a breeze.  Our model was quite ready to head out for an adventure!

RideSafer Gen5 and accessories

RideSafer Gen5 and accessories

Our Gen5 included many of the optional accessories, including the top tether and the optional neck pillow.

RideSafer Gen5 buckle

RideSafer Gen5 buckle

The RideSafer Gen5 includes the latest and greatest version of the buckle.  Previous versions of the vest had buckles that left many a caregiver a bit puzzled at first but this version is the best one yet!

Leave it in the Vehicle

RideSafer Gen5 set up in the vehicle

RideSafer Gen5 set up in the vehicle

If you’re using the top tether (and we’d always advocate that you do!), once the vest is adjusted to fit the child, it’s fine to leave it attached to the vehicle between uses (as long as the same kiddo is returning to the same seating position later!).

Fit to Child

4 years old.

RideSafer Gen5 4 years old

RideSafer Gen5 4 years old

This kiddo is closing in her 5th birthday (she’s still 4, though!),  weighs 35 pounds, and is 39 inches tall.  She’s wearing a size small in the Gen 5.  The vest fits her well but she definitely needed help in getting set up for this picture.  We understand that some families may use the RideSafer Gen 5 for their kiddos who are this young so we wanted to show how well it can fit.  We continue to recommend that children be closer to their 5th birthdays before they start to ride in the vest.

5 Years Old

RideSafer Gen5 5 years old

RideSafer Gen5 5 years old

This kiddo weighs 38 pounds and is 42.5 inches tall.  He’s new to using the vest so it took some help from a caregiver to get him set up.  The vest fits him well and we have no doubt that as he gets more experience using the vest, he’ll be more independent when it comes to using the vest properly.

safety travel vest

RideSafer Delight Travel Vest: 5 1/2 years old, 54 pounds and 46 inches tall.

This model is 5.5 years old.  She weighs 54 pounds and is 46 inches tall.  She’s sitting on the passenger side of a 2009 Toyota Highlander in the middle row.

The vest fit her well and I was able to get a snug fit around her waist even though she’s toward the lower end of the size range.  The crotch buckle helped to keep the lap portion of the vest nice and low.

Our “sleeping” 5 1/2 year old model shows how the RSDTV tether helps to prevent the body from slouching out of position.

Our “sleeping” 5 1/2 year old model shows how the RSDTV tether helps to prevent the body from slouching out of position.

The shoulder portion of the vest had some empty space above her shoulders, which wasn’t an issue, as her seat belt continued to fit well on her shoulder. For a child this age, the tether can provide extra assurance that she’ll remain properly positioned even if she falls asleep.

RideSafer Delight Travel Vest in the center seat of a 2009 Toyota Highlander between a Chicco Keyfit and Graco Headwise.

RideSafer Delight Travel Vest in the center seat of a 2009 Toyota Highlander between a Chicco Keyfit and Graco Headwise.

This child usually rides in the third row because her car seat doesn’t fit between her two younger brothers’ car seats.  The RSDTV allowed her to fit on the very narrow second row seat between their Chicco Keyfit 30 and Graco Headwise.

6 Years Old

RideSafer Gen5 6 years old

RideSafer Gen5 6 years old

Our 6 year old model weighs 73 pounds, and is 47 inches tall.  He’s wearing a size large in the vest.  Like our 4 year old model, he needed some help with getting set up but was able to sit properly once he was buckled in.

Measuring the seated height is done differently for the RSDTV than it is for most safety seats.

Measuring the seated height is done differently for the RSDTV than it is for most safety seats.

Deciding Between Sizes

Torso height is a big factor when it comes to figuring out which size vest works for older or bigger kids.  Measuring a child’s torso height for an RSDTV is quite different than measuring a child’s torso for a traditional car seat .

Instead of measuring from the child’s bum to the top of the shoulders, measure from the top of the child’s thighs to the top of the shoulders.

safety travel vest

The optional tether is secured to a clip on each shoulder strap on the RideSafer Delight Travel Vest.

While the tether is optional (and an additional purchase), it may be beneficial.  We know that tethers play a critical role in preventing injuries to children in forward facing harnessed car seats .  Crash dynamics are quite different in a traditional harnessed seat compared to a RSDTV, but it’s likely that the use of a tether will help to manage crash forces.   The tether can also help children who still tend to be a little on the wiggly side or who still struggle to remain properly positioned when asleep remain sitting upright, even if they’re fast asleep.

Neck Pillow

safety travel vest

The velcro tabs seem to be placed in such a way where it prevents the RideSafer Delight Travel Vest’s neck rest securing to them.

The optional pillow is designed to increase comfort for a child who may want additional support behind their neck.

Ride Safer Delight pillow

Ride Safer Delight pillow

The pillow attaches via velcro strips on the back of the vest. To use the pillow, pull the tabs to expose the rough side of the velcro and attach the base of the pillow.

Inflatable Seat Belts

We were thrilled to see that the RideSafer Delight Travel Vest is approved for use with inflatable vehicle seat belts!  The Delight’s shoulder belt clips were designed to accommodate both traditional and inflatable seat belts, so thicker inflatable belts should fit nicely.  It can also be used in vehicles with a lap only belt if the tether is used and secured to a designated tether anchor.

Delight Booster Seat

Over the years Safe Traffic System received feedback that some kids were frustrated by their inability to see out the window when traveling in their vest.  The Delighter booster seat solves this problem!

The RideSafer Gen 5 is a belt positioning product, which eliminates the need for a booster altogether.

safety travel vest

The tether holds the RideSafer Delight Travel Vest in place; the seat belt secures the Delighter until the next time they’re needed.

The use of booster seats with the vests was strictly prohibited… until the Delighter came to market! While the Delighter may be used as a booster on its own, it is the only booster approved for use with the RSTV/RSDTV.

Since the Delighter allows a child’s legs to curve over the edge of the booster seat, it helps many kids feel more comfortable and eliminates the desire to slouch to the vehicle seat edge.

  • Lightweight
  • Extremely portable
  • Easy to use with lap/shoulder belt
  • Doesn’t take up any more space in a vehicle than the child’s body does
  • Easily adjustable to fit various kids and vehicles
  • Can be tricky to thread the seat belt through

Important Information: Where to Find

safety travel vest

The convenient storage slot for the manual is right inside the front of the RideSafer Delight Travel Vest.

Manual storage: The manual is a little hard to find at first — it arrives tucked away in its own handy little pocket on the inside of the vest.

Date of Manufacture label:  This label is next to the manual storage pocket on the inside of the vest.

FAA Approval: At this time, the Delight is not FAA approved for use on aircraft.  We very much hope to see that change in the future given how travel-friendly this product is.

Overall Thoughts

The RideSafer Gen5 is an innovative and unique product.  It can function either as a wearable booster or, if the tether is attached, as a kind of hybrid between a harnessed car seat and a booster seat. This makes it a remarkably versatile product for school-aged children.  It’s a dream to travel with, thanks to its small size — simply toss it in your bag and you’re ready to go!  The sizes available fit a broad range of children and the adjustable belt guides achieve a consistent belt fit in the vast majority of vehicles and seating locations.

This review was originally written by Abbie Patterson, former CSFTL contributor. Edits and updates are maintained by the CSFTL Editorial Team.

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Ride Safer Travel Vest – The Safe, Legal, Convenient Travel Car Seat

Table of Contents

What Is The Ride Safer Travel Vest?

@forsomethingmore Traveling light is extremely important to us. That means, we don’t bring their car seats. We use the rider safer vest. Want to learn more about it? #travellife #traveltiktok #carseatsafety #travelwithkids #traveltips #travelhacks #traveling ♬ Fake ID X Walking On A Dream Carter Walsh Remix – CarterWalsh

The Ride Safer Travel Vest is a safe, legal (in all 50 states), and super convenient child restraint for kids in boosters and forward-facing 5-point harness seats. It meets the same standards that all legal car seats and child restraints must meet in order to be considered legal. In more technical terms, it’s a FMVSS 213 certified child restraint .

ride safer travel vest

To put all of that much more simply, the Ride Safer Vest is basically a harness that you put on your child. Once your kiddo is in the harness, you weave a seatbelt through a couple of points in the harness, and voila, your kiddo will be safely restrained in your vehicle – again, just as he/she would be in a traditional forward-facing 5-point harness seat.

The harness itself folds into a ball that’s about the size of a basketball and weighs about 2 lbs. (~ 1 kg.), so it’s absolutely portable and packable.

In our section below on how to use the Ride Safer Travel Vest , we go into full detail on this topic, although there aren’t many, as it’s super simple to use!

Why We Use The Ride Safer Vest

There are a few main reasons we use our vests, but broadly speaking, we use them when it’s not practical to use our traditional forward-facing 5-point harness seats.

Traveling Abroad

When we travel abroad, due to the sheer size and weight of our traditional forward-facing 5-point harness seat, it’s not practical to bring them along with us. And, as putting the kids in a vehicle without a seatbelt of any kind is NOT an option for us, the Ride Safer Travel Vest is an obvious choice for us.

Taking Taxis/Ubers

Whether we’re traveling abroad or domestically, like on our Southern New Mexico road trip , when we need to taxi or Uber somewhere, it’s again not practical to use our forward-facing 5-point harness seats. Merely connecting our traditional car seats into a taxi and then taking them out again poses a large challenge, and then storing the seats at our destination is also problematic.

Since we can put the RideSafer travel Vest on each kid (a process that takes 10-15 seconds) before we hail our taxi, once the taxi arrives, we can quickly buckle the kids into the back seat (another 10-15 second process), and we’re safely on our way.

Once we arrive at our destination, we take the kids out of the vehicle and their vests (a total of 20-30 seconds of work), and then we stuff the vests away into one of our backpacks.

Riding In A Friend’s Car

Along the same lines as when we ride in a taxi, if we’re ever riding in a friend’s car, again, it’s not practical for us to bring our traditional car seats. Our RideSafer Vest allows us to ensure our kids are riding safely no matter the setting.

How To Use The RideSafer Travel Vest – It’s SUPER Simple

The short video below shows how quick and easy the Ride Safer Travel Vest is to use.

@forsomethingmore This is how you put the vest on. As you can see, super simple. 😃 Let me know what else you might want to see! #carseat #travelwithkids #travelwithchildren #travelingkids #carseattiktoks ♬ original sound – .

If the video didn’t cut it for you, the basic process is this.

  • Put your child’s arms through the arm loops
  • Velcro the tummy strap across their tummy and velcro the lap portion too
  • Attach then tighten the waist belt
  • If you’re using the crotch belt – typically only for younger children – lightly tighten that too

Once your tot is in the vest, buckling them in the car is again a 10-15 second process.

Have a look.

@forsomethingmore If you’re interested in purchasing the Ride Safer vest, you can here: SR4K.com/ForSomethingMore This is an affiliate link and we will earn a small commission if you make a purchase. We thank you in advance as you are the bloodline to our ability to create more great content. More information: The vest also comes with a shoulder tether. Because we are usually only using our Ride Safer vest for short taxi or Uber rides, we don’t use it often. However, when we rent a car, we plan to use the shoulder tether for consistent sitting position and increased safety. You don’t HAVE to use a booster with the vest, however, if your kiddos want to be able to see out the window, a booster is nice for the longer car rides. The Travel Smarter Delight Booster Seat (sold by Safe Ride 4 Kids) has been crash tested along with the Ride Safer vest, so it’s the one you need to use, if wanting to boost your kiddo up. My next video will show the use of the Ride Safer Vest with the Travel Smarter Delight Booster Seat. @saferide4kids ♬ flowers x love you like a love song – Adam Wright

Again, if the video didn’t do it for you…

  • Buckle the seat belt as you normally would
  • Thread the seat belt through the three points on the vest
  • Tighten the seat belt a bit

The big takeaway is, the vests should NOT be insanely tight. If your child is having trouble moving around, and certainly if they’re having trouble breathing, you’ve fastened it WAY too tightly. Loosen it up a bit!

The other takeaway is, the lap portion of the vest should sit flat on your kiddo’s lap. If it’s not sitting flat, go ahead and adjust the vest accordingly.

The first time we used our Ride Safer Travel Vests, it took us about 2-3 minutes to learn how to use the vests. After practicing just a couple of times, it now takes us 10-15 seconds to get our kiddos into their vests.

A Booster Seat Is An Optional Accessory For The RideSafer Travel Vest

While using the RideSafer Vest is equally as safe with or without a TravelSmarter Delight Booster Seat , if your little one isn’t able to see out the window, and if that’s troubling to either you or them, definitely consider using one.

We use one with our kiddos, and we’re all happier because of it, but ultimately, the decision is up to you.

Conclusion – The Ride Safer Travel Vest Is What We Use As A Travel Car Seat

The bottom line is that the Ride Safer Travel Vest is a safe, legal (in all 50 states), and super convenient child restraint for kids in boosters and forward-facing 5-point harness seats.

If you’ve still got questions about the RideSafer Travel Vest, feel free to leave us a comment below , and most definitely feel free to check out the FAQ’s as well as the plethora of other information that you’ll find on the manufacturers website.

+++BEFORE using this information, please read our Legal Disclaimer.+++

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The Family Voyage

Ride Safer travel vest: it will change the way you travel with kids

This post contains affiliate links, for which I may earn a commission if you make a qualifying purchase.

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This review of the Ride Safer travel vest is written by certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Melissa Conn and may contain affiliate links.

We’re all about experiences over things, but sometimes things come along that makes the experiences a thousand times more enjoyable. That’s my overall impression of the Ride Safer travel vest car seat – for our family it has become an indispensable piece of travel gear as we’ve gallivanted around the globe with two young children. In this Ride Safer travel vest review, you’ll get my complete, honest opinions as a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) and a mom.

We have now used two different generations of the Ride Safer Travel Vest, the Ride Safer Delight travel vest and the current Ride Safer Travel Vest Gen 5 . Within the current generation we own three of the four sizes and in this review I’ll share photos on a variety of kids. We’ve spent many years with our vests, so I’ve had plenty of time to get acquainted with them!

You may have seen parents in Facebook groups refer to it by a range of almost-correct names: safe rider vest, rider safe vest, ride safe vest, rider safe travel vest, rider safety vest… I’ve seen pretty much every combination but the only correct one is Ride Safer Travel Vest.

Keep reading (and watching!) to learn how to use the Ride Safer travel vest, its pros and cons and how to decide if it’s right for your family. I’ll also share some information about the companion TravelSmarter booster seat.

DEAL ALERT! Save $11 off the Ride Safer Travel Vest with coupon ‘ VOYAGE ‘

Here’s a quick video review of the Ride Safer travel vest:

What is the Ride Safer travel vest?

safety travel vest

The Ride Safer travel vest is a wearable booster seat alternative for young children up through tweens. It works by bringing the seatbelt down to your child’s level rather than boosting her up.

Your child puts the vest on (like a clothing vest) and then you secure it using the industrial-strength velcro panel and metal buckle on the front. Once you get in the car, you’d buckle the seatbelt as usual but then thread it through the seat belt guides that are included on the lap and shoulder portions of the vest. The Ride Safer Travel Vest has fairly rigid support through the body, unlike a traditional booster seat that has no body support.

It meets or exceeds all crash test requirements and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for harness restraints, meaning the Ride Safer travel vest is legal throughout the US. It is still considered a booster seat, allowing much more mobility than a harnessed seat. You’ll have to use your judgement regarding your young child’s maturity and ability to stay in the proper position for the whole car ride.

There’s also an optional top tether that should be used whenever possible to limit head movement in an accident. It also help to keep younger riders from reaching for a toy or slumping when asleep in this kids seat belt vest. Having forgotten the top tether piece on a recent trip, I can tell you that it’s an essential piece (even for kids who are old enough for a traditional booster seat).

Who should use the Ride Safer Travel Vest?

safety travel vest

According to the manufacturer specifications, the Ride Safer Travel Vest Gen 5 will fit the following ages and sizes:

Ok, but what ages and sizes should use the Ride Safer Travel Vest?

As I mentioned in the introduction, we’re fortunate to have used two generations and several sizes of Ride Safer travel vest over the course of many years and many rides.

2023 update! In previous versions of this review I expressed frustration that the Gen 5 vest ran much larger than Gen 4 and didn’t fit kids as the size chart indicated. I’m thrilled to say that the manufacturer, Safe Traffic Systems, responded to sizing feedback and quietly change the design! The changes are significant enough that I wish they’d given it a new name or generation number. This is especially worth noting if you owned a previous vest or have been considering one for a while.

In the photo below, the original Gen 5 is on the left and the new Gen 5 vest is on the right. As you can see, the new version has a much wider range of length adjustability! The diamond-shaped panel can slide up and down along the harness and the velcro tab that determines the vest’s length can be affixed either to the diamond or basically anywhere along the back strap. On the old version we only had about 2″ of Velcro to work with, which translated to very little length difference.

Travel Car Seat Mom - Two black harnesses on a wooden table.

Here’s a comparison of the XS vest at its largest setting along with the new Gen 5 and old Gen 5 smalls at their smallest settings – don’t worry, you’ll see them on real kids in a minute! The XS Ride Safer Travel Vest has some additional considerations so look for that in the next section. In the middle you can see that I’ve also crossed the buckle over to the far side of the vest, which is now permitted to get a better fit on slim kids.

Travel Car Seat Mom - Three different types of harnesses on a wooden floor.

Here’s the updated Gen 5 Ride Safer Travel Vest size small fit. My cute nephew is 5 years old and around 43″ with an average build, while my sweet niece is 7.5 years old, around 46″ and slim. With the improved adjustability, an average sized 4 year old should be able to use the size small. I tried the small on my 9 year old – around 48″ and 60lbs – but it was too small on her.

Travel Car Seat Mom - A young boy sitting in the back seat of a car.

Not ready for the Ride Safer yet? Here are some great travel car seats for 3 year olds and 4 year olds to consider instead.

Many parents ask if they should buy the small or large Ride Safer Travel Vest for their child (there is no medium vest). Here are updated pictures of my own kiddos using the size large vest. At 48″/60lbs (left) and 53″/75lbs (right), the large fits great! My son still has plenty of growing room as well.

Travel Car Seat Mom - A young girl wearing the Ride Safer Travel Vest sits comfortably in the back seat of a car.

Ride Safer Travel Vest X-Small review

In this section, I’m going to address the Ride Safer XS vest that was released in 2022. It’s a bit of a different product and there are a host of considerations that aren’t as important for kids old enough to use the small through XL sizes. Remember, it’s still safer for kids this age to be rear facing in a convertible car seat .

If your kiddo is already 4, scroll down to the next section.

Ride Safer Travel Vest small vs x-small comparison

First, let’s look at a comparison between the Gen 5 Ride Safer Travel Vest XS (left) and the Small (right) and spot the differences:

safety travel vest

The overall concept is the same, but there are some critical changes here! First, the XS is obviously smaller. This photo shows the XS on its largest setting and the small on its smallest setting, and there’s still a pretty big difference. There’s just isn’t a ton of room on the back of the XS for the velcro torso length adjustment, so it has a much narrower range than the small.

Second, the small has a metal buckle at the waist while the XS has a similar buckle attached at the chest pads and only velcro at the waist. If you’ve never had one of these vests in your hands, the velcro is incredibly strong so don’t be concerned that kids are going to mess with it, nor that it would open in a crash. But that metal buckle on the chest? Genius.

It remedies the biggest issue with size small for smaller kids, which is that the shoulder straps can easily slide off of slim shoulders. I’d love to see this change on the Ride Safer Gen 6 vests! Not only does that “chest clip” give a better fit but it also prevents kids from deliberately getting out. Could a determined child unfasten it? Surely. But it’s an important first line of defense!

Finally, you’ll see that the shoulder belt guides on the x-small travel vest are exposed while they’re covered with fabric on the small. While the velcro on those flaps is pretty flimsy, I miss them on the XS. In their absence, curious fingers may be more inclined to play with the shoulder belt and potentially remove it from the guide.

Ride Safer Travel Vest XS fit to child

I’m excited to have a tiny new model to show off the XS vest! This little lady is just over 2 and on the short side. You can see that the XS fits her nicely. If she had been more compliant I would have used the crotch strap as well (more on that later).

Travel Car Seat Mom - A toddler wearing a safety vest in front of a car.

On the topic of curious fingers, let’s meet our second adorable XS vest model: my 3.5yo nephew – these photos were taken a few years ago, and you’ll see above that he’s now comfortably modeling the size small. At 3 he was 37.5″ and 33.5lbs – exactly average for height and just a little above average for weight. In these photos he was probably around 39″ and 35lbs – nearing the top end of the size range for XS.

safety travel vest

He juuuuust fit into the XS (right) and the crotch strap was very helpful for keeping the vest low with the lap panel on the tops of his thighs. By contrast, the small was so baggy through the shoulders that when he was fed up with modeling he slid his tiny shoulders through and pulled the whole thing down.

Is the extra-small Ride Safer Travel Vest right for your child?

safety travel vest

And therein lies rub… a child doesn’t need to be 100% booster-ready to use the vest, but he still needs to basically be a calm and compliant child even if a vest or other car seat makes him grumpy.

The XS Ride Safer Vest is marketed for 2 and 3 year olds, but that’s precisely the age at which kids beginning pushing boundaries and asserting their independence. Some kids, like my daughter photographed above at the same age, are total rule followers and will just sit where you place them and how you place them. Others – perhaps the majority – at 2 or even 3 will wiggle and squirm, sometimes for discomfort and sometimes to get a rise out of their safety-minded parents.

While my little niece looked like the perfect model above, before getting that picture she spent about 30 minutes sitting on the ground saying “I don’t like it!” when I showed her the vest. She wasn’t willing to put it on at all until after both of her older siblings had modeled for me. If you’re considering using the vest for a trip with a young or sensitive child, give yourself plenty of extra time to get them comfortable and situated.

Travel Car Seat Mom - A little girl sitting on the sidewalk with her hands on her face.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the CPST community is split on whether or not the XS vest should exist. Yes, it passes Federal crash testing both with and without the top tether. However, crash test dummies don’t move . In deciding whether or not your child is ready for the vest, you have to be honest about her behavior and developmental level.

There aren’t many situations where I’m inclined to steer parents to the XS vest versus a traditional travel car seat or the WAYB Pico , but here they are:

  • You have a calm, compliant, petite 3-4 year old and will be doing the sort of travel that just doesn’t work with a traditional car seat (like full-time travel )
  • You’re taking a 2 year old on a car-free vacation that only requires a taxi / Uber from the airport and an adult or teen will be sitting next to the toddler in the car

While the crotch strap is optional for all ages, I strongly recommend its use with the XS vest. Kids this age are prone to wiggling and the strap ensures that the lap belt stays nice and low on the thighs. Between that and the “chest clip” it’ll also remind kids that they’re in a car seat and shouldn’t be frolicking around the car.

When possible, I also recommend using the top tether. With that piece the Ride Safer Travel Vest passes the same testing that’s required of a forward-facing harness. Furthermore, you’re really limiting how much your young child can squirm out of position. In some countries (generally in the developing world) there are no top tethers, so keep that in consideration as you decide whether or not to travel internationally with the XS RSTV.

Finally, if you have no alternative but to use the vest and you think your child will try to wiggle too much you do have the option of locking the seatbelt at the retractor like you would when installing a car seat. Many countries (like Mexico ) don’t have that “switchable” retractor as a standard unfortunately but it’s mandatory in the US and Canada.

XS Ride Safer Travel Vest in the car

safety travel vest

So how does the vest do when you put an actual child in the car? It was actually pretty good for my little nephew at 3.5 and average height!

You can see that I managed to pull the vest down pretty far so that the lap panel is flat on his thighs. I’ve used the top tether and the crotch strap to limit the wiggles. If he had a little more room in the vest, sitting “criss-cross” would help the lap panel sit even flatter.

He’s right near the top of the size chart for the XS vest, and because he’s 3 he had no tolerance for trying the small in the car. It’s also worth nothing that in this vehicle he doesn’t have the appealing red button of the seatbelt buckle right next to him, but he would in a sedan or other bench seat. I’m confident that this little guy wouldn’t mess with it once told, but only you know how your child will handle that situation.

Travel Car Seat Mom - A little girl sitting in a car seat.

This is in a different vehicle, but you can see that the fit on his sister at age 2 is… less good. In theory this works: the lap belt is flat on her thighs and the shoulder belt crosses near her collar bone. But because she’s very small and the seatbelt is mounted high in this car, it hits her right in the face! There’s a good chance that she would (understandably) move the seatbelt out of position after a few minutes because that can’t be comfortable.

Travel Car Seat Mom - A child sitting in the back seat of a car.

Safe Traffic Systems offers the Travel Smarter backless booster seat that can be used with any size vest to improve the seatbelt fit. As you can see here, it does exactly that! There’s no chance of the lap belt riding up onto her “soft belly” and the shoulder belt is more appropriately positioned. She’s also able to benefit from the car’s advanced safety features like side curtain airbags since she’s higher up.

You can read my Travel Smarter booster seat review for more info. It’s incredibly light and comes with its own backpack that also fits the vest inside.

If you feel that the XS Ride Safer vest is right for your family, you can buy it here and save $11 with coupon ‘VOYAGE’.

How to put on the Ridesafer vest for kids

When you open the Ridesafer travel vest backpack, you’ll see a few different parts and you’ll need to make some adjustments. The great news is that you can fit it to your child before you need to use it in the car.

The components included in the box are the vest, a sometimes-optional crotch strap, the optional-but-highly-recommended top tether, the truly optional neck pillow and a convenient carry backpack. We ditched the pillow after just one use and the crotch strap once our kids got a little bigger.

Putting the vest on is pretty intuitive: open the buckle and the very sturdy Velcro panel in the front, then have your child slip his arms in. Tug the vest down, fasten the Velcro so that it’s snug but not uncomfortable and then fasten the metal buckle, adjusting the strap length as necessary – there’s no way that vest is coming undone on its own! To get the length right, turn your child around and open the Velcro on the crossing straps on his back. Adjust the vest until the bottom flap on the front is resting on top of his thighs (since it will hold the lap portion of the seatbelt in the proper position), then refasten the Velcro straps on his back.

The final (optional) step is to the thread the Y-shaped crotch strap through the two slots on the back of the vest on the bottom (one on each side), then pull between the legs and fasten snugly through the slot at the bottom of the front. While the crotch strap is technically optional, it’s important for preventing younger riders from “submarining” (sliding down and out of the vest).

We stopped using the crotch strap around 4.5-5 years old. It’s not long enough to use all the way to the top of the size range, but it’s also not necessary at that point.

You can see a hands-on demo of putting on the Ride Safer vest below:

How to use the Ride Safer vest in the car

The Ride Safer travel vest is very easy to use once you get it on your child.

Here are the basic steps to use the Ridesafer vest:

  • Put the vest on the child, making sure that the lower panel is over the tops of the thighs. It can help to “fan out” the two sides of the lap panel so that it sits flat.
  • Have child sit in the car and fasten seatbelt as normal.
  • Feed the lap belt through both metal guides in the lap panel of the vest, then pull snug across the lap. Don’t over-tighten the lap belt or it may start to bunch in the guide on the side away from the buckle.
  • Open the Velcro shoulder pad on the side where the should belt crosses and feed the shoulder belt through that metal guide, then pull snug and close the shoulder pad.
  • Attach the optional but highly recommended top tether to the shoulder straps using the two metal hooks (above the pads), then attach the other end to the car’s top tether point and pull the tail to remove slack .

If you’ll be using the Ride Safe travel vest in your own car or a rental car, you can leave it attached to the car when you get out! Just unbuckle the seatbelt and remove it from the lap belt guide on the buckle side before you unbuckle the waist strap. You can leave the tether attached at the shoulders and even leave the seatbelt threaded through the shoulder and the other side of the lap! As you become more experienced with the vest, it’s a real time saver.

Ride Safer travel vest FAQs

Yes, as long as it’s used in accordance with the directions the Ride Safer travel vest is legal in the United States. Please see more information on Europe , Australia and Costa Rica for additional guidance if you’re traveling to those places.

Yes, it passes FMVSS 213 testing just like all other car seats in the United States.

No. If your child is under 40lbs, the CARES harness ( full review here ) is an excellent complement that can be used on planes.

The RSTV is permitted in Canada as a medical device with prescription.

The Ride Safer Travel Vest has only been crash tested an approved with the Travel Smarter backless booster seat . Using it with any other booster seat (inflatable or otherwise) may be unsafe and in some cases illegal.

RideSafer Travel Vest Review Impressions

safety travel vest

Bottom-line upfront: we liked it enough to take it with us for a full year of travel. Yes, its that much of a game-changer. Now having returned, I have no regrets about that choice.

Now for my full thoughts: The Ride Safer vest is an awesome product that really delivers on its promise to make traveling with preschoolers and older kids easier without compromising safety. We took it to Europe without ever testing it at home, which was a risk for sure, but I figured it out pretty quickly. Our son barely complained during any of our car rides, though he’s generally pretty easygoing about car seat safety and is accustomed to riding in a forward-facing harness most of the time at home.

When we used it during our gap year trip, it was perfect for taxi rides in the cities because I could just roll it up and put it in our day bag. We also used it for some very long road trip stretches, and found it to be solid overall. There were times when our daughter slumped more than we would have liked when sleeping, and early in the trip the shoulder straps seemed a hair too long for her; however, a little gap at the shoulders isn’t necessarily a concern. In our long-term testing, she never complained about comfort despite some drives of 6 hours in a single day.

safety travel vest

Overall we’re very satisfied with our decision to bring the Ride Safer rather than our usual travel car seat. For kids who are mature enough and big enough to fit, we whole-heartedly recommend it in situations like ours where traveling light is the only practical solution .

It’s also a great alternative to a booster seat for taxi or Uber riders living in major cities or families on extended trips at age 4+, especially when many families would otherwise allow their children to ride unrestrained. Just throw it in the included backpack and let your kid carry it around! We’ve also found it indispensable for fitting 3-across in our small car when Grandma comes to visit.

Bubblebum (left) compared with Ride Safer travel vest (right)

If your child is younger or smaller, take a look at the WAYB Pico , which is an excellent folding car seat with a 5-point harness. If you travel infrequently and will just be taking a single flight and then renting a car, one of these travel car seats might be a good fit for your needs.

The RideSafer travel vest is also sometimes prescribed for children with special needs, especially now that there’s a size Extra Large available. It can be a great choice for older children and even teens who have outgrown the tallest harnessed car seat and still need more support than a traditional booster seat can offer.

What we like:

-Feels very well made

-Design has multiple fail-safe mechanisms

-Extremely compact (takes up less than half of a preschool-sized backpack)

-Easy to use, takes less than 3min to put on the vest and get the seatbelt in place (assuming your kid is a willing participant)

-More torso support than a backless booster, avoids booster rider slumping when asleep

-Adjustable sizing so it can last for several years

-Wide range of sizes now available, from XS to XL

What we don’t love:

-Can take some practice and tweaking to get the fit of the car seat vest  just right

-Crotch strap is almost too short for many kids, though its use is not required

-Getting the vest on the kid and then the kid in the car can get to be tiresome if you’re doing it several times per day, every day, for a whole year

-Lots of parts to keep track of (for a city family using the vest in a taxi, you can leave the headrest at home and save tons of space)

-The optional headrest is more trouble than it’s worth

-Not permitted to use on an airplane, so for a child under 40lbs you’d need to buy a CARES harness to make the airplane seatbelt safe

-Kids can’t see out the window (can be used with the Travel Smarter booster seat to give them a lift)

-The 2023 version now has a 5 year expiration, while earlier versions had a 10 year expiration

Final Thoughts on the Ride Safer car seat vest

portable car seat for travel

As you can see from my impressions above, there is room for small changes or additional features; however, our impression is overwhelmingly positive. I was especially pleased that, when used with the top tether, the car seat travel vest prevented slumping out of position while sleeping. If we had just brought a booster seat, our daughter would have been in an unsafe position. Moving from two bulky car seats to none on our gap year was absolutely epic (we use this one for our son since he was 6 years old by then – full review here ). I honestly don’t know how we could have managed without the Ride Safer travel vest .

While the Ride Safer vest is a little pricey for an item most families will use only occasionally, if your family travels often with older preschoolers or young school age children I can’t recommend it enough. It would be a fantastic choice for car-free families with kids ages 4 and up as well, as you can easily shove it in your purse or backpack for unexpected taxi rides.

We feel confident that the Ride Safer offers a safe alternative to either lugging a huge car seat around a city or relying on an unfamiliar car/driver to maybe offer car seats. Ready to buy your own Ride Safer vest? Get it directly from Safe Ride 4 Kids for amazing customer service and fast, free shipping! Use coupon ‘VOYAGE’ to save $11 on your order.

Not sure what car seat to bring for travel? Find the best travel car seats by age

Our friends at Safe Traffic Systems and Safe Ride 4 Kids sent me several Ride Safer travel vest for kids to review; all opinions are my own. 

What to read next

55 thoughts on “ride safer travel vest: it will change the way you travel with kids”.

What a greta piece of travel kit. Having just returned from a trip where I had to take a car sat for my two-year-old and a smaller travel booster for my four-year-old I feel your pain having to lug bulky seats around in the past. This type of solution is brilliant for traveling families. It does look very secure too and maybe not so easy to wriggle out of as the travel seat I took with me on my last trip! Thanks for sharing this on #MondayEscapes

I really wish they had come out with this when my girls were younger, it certainly seems like such a huge help with travel – especially taxis and such! Excellent idea, and I’ve got to share this with some friends who still have younger kids.

I’ve been biding my time until Jacob was old enough! It’s a really innovative solution. Thanks for sharing!

What a great invention. Definitely a game-changer if you don’t need to carry a car seat or a booster. I’ve been keen on using Hertz with AAA code to get a free car seat with each rental.

Great idea but I appreciate you pointing out what you love and what could need more improvement #fearlessfamtrav

It’s a really interesting idea, but it seems just a wee bit too complicated and uncomfortable to fully replace a booster seat, especially for longer journeys. Also, I worry about it becoming too warm during summertime. Thanks anyway for bringing this to my attention. #FearlessFamTrav

If a child is truly old enough to use a backless booster, something like a bubble bum would be a great choice; however, my personal minimum for that would be 6yo AND not falling asleep in the car. Sadly I see so many pictures of booster riders who fall asleep and basically lay down sideways – not adequate protection in a crash, not even close.

The vest is really great for families whose kids are riding in a forward-facing harnessed seat, but who are basically willing not to squirm too much in the car.

Do you know if it can be used with only a lapbelt? We are going to Sri Lanka soon and can’t find a van that has shoulder belts so looking into different options since we won’t be able to use the high back booster.

Hi Kaylie, no it needs a shoulder belt. We’re in Panama now and have had a few van rides in which the kids just used the lap belt. Sometimes that’s the reality. We’ve found Uber cars to have better safety features than traditional taxis or vans, but I’m not sure if Uber is available in Sri Lanka. How old is your little one?

I had no idea anything like this existed! We make yearly trips to visit family and this would be so much better than lugging around a car seat! Thank you so much for this post!

Wow, it sounds brilliant. Definitely something we will invest in when we go abroad with the girls. It has always worried me about what to do with car seats and this seems like the perfect solution. I love that it doesn’t take up too much space. Nat.x

This is so interesting – I’ve not seen one of thes ebefore .So much lighter than a car seat and having to lug around. #familytraveltips

Thanks for such a comprehensive review! Can you share the dimensions of the item folded up and in a proper stuff sack? ie what is the smallest it can be? THANKS!

I don’t have the dimensions offhand (no soft tape with me while traveling!) but I’d say perhaps like a 2L soda bottle without the neck part?

This is not true – a ride safer vest can be used with just a lap belt PROVIDED the tether is used – the clip anchoring between the shoulders and the bolt or latch mandatory in most cars.

You are correct that it can technically be used with a lap-only belt in that situation, but I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a car today that has a lap-only belt AND a top tether. Alternatively, you could buy the EATAL accessory to mimic a tether point, but many cars don’t have a suitable tether point at all. I think that for 99% of parent out there, the best practice is to use it with a lap-shoulder belt if one is available. We found many cars in Thailand and Morocco that have lap-shoulder belts outboard and lap-only in the middle (no top tethers in ANY position), and I would rather not have parents remember only partial information and misuse the product. In that situation, the safest position for the child is outboard with a lap-shoulder belt.

Looks like the Amazon Prime code doesn’t work anymore – I’m getting “The promotional code you entered cannot be applied to your purchase.” Any chance you have a new one?

How was the comfort level for long drives? Also, it seems like the child wouldn’t be able to see out of the window. Was that an issue?

This is a very interesting alternative… My three year old is still rear facing in a convertible, so I am hesitant to downgrade in terms of protection, but It would be extremely convenient when traveling. Something to definitely consider!

I wholeheartedly agree! We kept our older one rear-facing until 4 and the younger one until 3.5, but at that point we went off traveling full-time and the Ride Safer was by far the best option for that lifestyle 🙂

Super excited to have found this option – this + Bubble Bum are good options for my two kids. Will look into the links.

They’re both awesome products! We started using the Bubblebum for our older one at 6yo. We started using the Ride Safer around 3.5yo but only because we were traveling full-time and a regular car seat just wouldn’t have worked. But for a more “normal” family travel schedule, I think the Ride Safer vest is a great choice starting around 4yo 🙂

I didn’t knew about this gadget until now and I’m glad I read your post.

Hopefully you’ll get a chance to try it out! We’ve loved it for traveling light 🙂

We’ve been thinking about purchasing one of these. Thank you for the information!

You won’t regret it, the Ride Safer vest is super handy once your kid is old enough to use it!

We travel about half the year with our daughter who is about to be the perfect age/size for this!

It’s perfect! We did find that our petite girl fit better once she was between 3.5 and 4yo. How big is your daughter?

This looks like a smart idea for traveling with our 3 year old. We have mifolds for our older kids but they complained that the seat area was uncomfortable. The vest would have solved the uncomfortable seat problem.

I’ve heard that the mifold can be uncomfortable and that the belt fit for some kids in some cars isn’t great :-/ If your older ones are booster-age and mature, I’d look into the Bubblebum . But for your younger one, the Ride Safer vest should be good (we liked the fit better closer to 4yo than 3yo for what it’s worth).

Would love to try this out, likely with our older one. Will need to wait a little for her to grow a little bigger 😉

I’d definitely wait until 3.5 or even 4 🙂

I’m a little concerned that my daughter – who is generally uncomfortable in car seats – will not find this comfortable, but am willing to deal with that in exchange for not logging a big car seat around. Thanks!

Traveling to Spain in October and this will be our first trip my daughter meets the requirements for this product. Excited to see how it compares to lugging a big seat with us.

I was wondering the same, sounds like a great product.

Sooo looking forward to when my little guy is big enough to use this!

Such an awesome tool! Wish I knew about these sooner.

There was nothing like when I first started traveling!

Thank you so much for the very thorough review and videos. I am getting ready to take 2 preschoolers on a trip from Atlanta to multiple cities in China for a month. On our way back to Atlanta, we will be in L.A. for a few days with a friend who has 3 kids in car seats, so, I have been looking for suitable child restraints that won’t destroy my back or my sanity. I would love to try the RideSafer Delight on my kids (both are on the taller side) since my youngest will just turn 3 while we are in China. Since I don’t think that we would use them much after the trip and since they are pretty pricey, I’ll try asking around to see if anyone in my area has one that I could borrow to test fit. Thanks again for the post!

I’m really excited because my oldest just turned 3 last month and we’ve got a Euro trio coming up that this would be great on!

Is there any way this cam be combined with bubble bum so kids can look out of the windows?

I live in San Francisco and think just about every friend here has one of these. I’m still holding out, based on price – but really appreciate the lower weight limit than other travel friendly (Uber/Lyft friendly) options for preschoolers, as my little one won’t hit 40 pounds for a long time. When we’ve borrowed one though, she seemed like she was swimming in it (at 34 pounds). You mentioned that too – so seems a common complaint – would be curious to know more from others. Thanks for all the details!

Can’t wait until my daughter is a little older/heavier to use this!

How convenient for rentals and taxis!

We are just starting to outgrow our carseat for flights and this would be such the perfect option!

We got one for our older girl when she was 3, traveled in Kenya with it… Now waiting for our youngest to hit the age/weight requirements so she can start using it too!

Amazing! Out of curiosity, what’t the seatbelt situation like in Kenya?

It says it’s not approved for use in Europe?

The previous version was approved for Europe, but the manufacturer is still going through the certification process for the updated vest.

Great idea but I appreciate you pointing out what you love and what needs work.

This is such a great option for travel! I really wish we had this when we went away last year instead of lugging our little one and the car seat with us! We are very excited to give this a try.

I can’t imaging doing a gap year with a regular car seat – you guys are troopers! I’m glad we waited until our daughter was old enough to use the vest. Hopefully you guys will have a Ride Safer vest in your future 🙂

I appreciate the review! I am interested in one of these when my daughter is old enough

The extra small size goes down to 20lbs. 30 lbs isn’t the minimim

Thanks for stopping by! Please see my updated Ride Safer Travel Vest review for more information on the XS. And while it is technically is rated to 22lbs (the Federal minimum for forward facing), there’s virtually no situation in which it’s an ideal restraint for that size child. Even in the most tricky of circumstances, I’d sooner put a 22lb child in this car seat that only weighs a little more than the vest.

Safe travels,

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Is it possible to visit Russia as a tourist in 2023?

safety travel vest

Yes, traveling to Russia as a tourist in 2023 is possible. Here’s what to look out for if you’re preparing for your dream trip. 

Visa requirements

First things first, it is worth checking if you need a visa to cross the Russian border. In 2023, citizens of some 65 countries can visit Russia without a visa. This includes most of the post-Soviet states like Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, as well as Ukraine.

Additionally, citizens of some countries in South and Central America – including Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Panama, Peru, Venezuela, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Uruguay, Ecuador – do not need a visa to travel to Russia.

Citizens of Israel, South Africa, Cuba, Montenegro, Thailand, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Andorra, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Mongolia, Botswana enjoy visa-free regime with Russia, too.

For the full list of countries, click here .

safety travel vest

* Data for the infographics is from November 2022 and was obtained from the Russian consular information website.

* The status of a particular country is subject to change. We advise additionally researching the relevant information in each particular case before booking any trip to Russia.

* Visa waivers may apply for holders of diplomatic or military service passports, select businessmen, air crew members, members of a ship or train crew, professional truck drivers, organized tourist groups and people who have official permission to live in some border regions.

Is it safe to travel to Russia right now?

Russia as a travel destination received a fair share of negative PR from various sources in early 2022.

Some official travel accounts run by governments of countries like the U.S. , Australia , Great Britain and others advise their citizens to abstain from non-essential travel to the country.

That said, it is always advisable to evaluate safety risks when traveling to any foreign country. Traveling to Russia is no exception. However, Moscow, St. Petersburg and other major Russian cities have been widely regarded as being safe , especially in comparison to other popular tourist destinations.

Little has changed in major Russian cities from the point of view of tourists or local residents. Consequently, the most extreme and vocal concerns over security may be disregarded as being too alarmist.

That said, logistics pose the greatest challenge for tourists traveling to Russia in 2023. A number of countries closed their national airspace for Russian air companies resulting in more complicated logistics for tourists who intend to visit Russia in 2023.

However, specific changes depend on a particular country from where a tourist departs. In some cases, direct flight routes remain intact. For example, nothing has changed for tourists from China, India, Turkey, Middle Eastern countries and the majority of post-Soviet states. They can book direct flights to Russia’s main airports.

Tourists departing from European capitals will have to book connecting flights via Turkey or countries in the Middle East. This makes tickets more expensive and flights longer. However, it is still possible to travel to Russia from virtually any country in the world.

It should be noted that every country has its own nuances that must be taken into account beforehand. For example, the Indian Embassy in Russia advises Indian nationals against traveling to Russia via third countries. According to the embassy website, Indian travelers should choose only direct flights from Delhi to Moscow, otherwise they risk being denied entry into Russia.

In another instance, the British government prohibited its citizens from purchasing tickets on Russian airlines that were under sanctions. Nonetheless, the British authorities made an exception for those journeys originating in or within Russia: in this case, British nationals may purchase tickets from Russian companies without breaching UK sanctions.

Covid restrictions, vaccination status & quarantine

In 2022, Russian authorities canceled Covid-related restrictions for Russian citizens and foreign tourists, alike.

In 2023, foreign nationals no longer need to provide results of a negative PCR test when entering Russia by any mode of transport. Therefore, foreign travelers no longer need to take a coronavirus test in advance before departure.

Furthermore, Russian authorities lifted Covid-related restrictions that required visitors to provide a specific reason for visiting the country facilitating tourist traveling.

The only remaining Covid-related regulation is a requirement to fill in a questionnaire. Passengers – both Russian and foreign citizens – will be asked to fill out the paper version of the questionnaire on board during their flight to Russia.

Click here to find out who can travel to Russia without a visa in 2023.

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IMAGES

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  2. (Last Updated On: January 19, 2018) The RideSafer Delight Travel Vest

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  4. RideSafer Travel Vest Gen 5 DELIGHT (NEW)

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  5. Outdoor Fishing Vest Multi-Pockets Lightweight Quick-Dry Camping Vest

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COMMENTS

  1. RideSafer Travel Vest

    The large-size vest is certified to 80lbs. and the XL-size vest is certified to 110lbs. but that certification is based on the tether and lap-only belt configuration. If someone is using the RideSafer and the vehicle's lap-shoulder belt the RideSafer will continue to do what it is designed to do and properly pre-crash position the seat belt.

  2. Ride Safer Travel Vest review (2024)

    The Ride Safer Travel Vest has fairly rigid support through the body, unlike a traditional booster seat that has no body support. It meets or exceeds all crash test requirements and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for harness restraints, meaning the Ride Safer travel vest is legal throughout the US. It is still considered a booster seat ...

  3. Amazon.com: Ride Safe Travel Vest

    Travel Harness Vest - Child Airplane Safety Travel Harness Baby Safety Travel Restraints System Airplane Foldable Lightweight Comfortable Travel Seat Cushions Perfect for Everyday Use or Rideshare, Travel. 4.1 out of 5 stars 14. 100+ bought in past month. $59.99 $ 59. 99. Typical: $65.99 $65.99.

  4. Ride Safer Travel Vest with Zipped Backpack-Wearable, Lightweight

    RideSafer Travel Vest Gen 5 provided in a small size for children 30 to 60 lbs., a large size for children 50 to 80 lbs., and an Extra large size for children 80 to 110lbs. respectively. Safety Information

  5. 10 Best Women's Travel Vests For Style, Safety And Smarter Travel

    Bernardo Women's Quilted Vest. When it comes to versatile and warm travel outerwear, the Bernardo Women's Quilted Vest is one of the best options available. Combining lightweight insulation and a tailored fit, this quilted vest is perfect for layering up or wearing alone on milder days.

  6. Ride Safer Travel Vest with Zipped Backpack-Wearable, Lightweight

    "The Rider Safer Travel Vest 2 by Safe Travel Systems by Safe Traffic System is our top pick for an easy to use and portable solution for carpoolers. No bulky seats, no complex belt-paths —the vest positions the vehicle shoulder and lap belts to correctly fit a child 30 to 80 pounds..." (by Denise & Alan Fields, November 2018) ...

  7. RideSafer Gen 5

    The other way is to use without a tether belt. RideSafer® can also be used with a vehicle lap and shoulder belt with or without the tether. RideSafer® Travel Vest Gen 5 is provided in Extra-small size for children 22 to 44 lbs., small size for children 30 to 60 lbs., large size for children 50 to 80 lbs., and Extra large size for children 80 ...

  8. RideSafer

    RideSafer® Travel Vest provided in a small and large size for children 30 to 60 lbs. and 50 to 80 lbs. respectively. The harness use mode, used with the vehicle lap only belt and top tether, for both size vests is limited to use with children weighing 60 lbs. or less. Lap-Shoulder belt mode. tested to FMVSS 213. RideSafer® NTP.

  9. Travel Car Seat

    The RideSafer travel vest is designed for children ages 2 and up and meets or exceeds all crash test requirements and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for harness restraints (FMVSS213). In fact, the RideSafer consistently tests well below—sometimes by half or more!— the standard safety allowances.

  10. Our Review of the RideSafer Travel Vest

    The RideSafer Travel Vest is a crash-tested and safety-certified travel car seat. It meets or exceeds Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for harness restraints (FMVSS213). The travel vest works by bringing the seatbelt down around the child, instead of boosting a child up as you'd see in a traditional car seat. ...

  11. What's the RideSafer Travel Vest? » Safe in the Seat

    A RideSafer Vest is a safe booster seat alternative, but it's not right for every family.. The RideSafer Vest was definitely needed in the market. It fills an important niche for travel, challenging 3-across car seat configurations, or children who can't use traditional booster seats.And using it in a taxi, rideshare, or carpooling situation is better than graduating to a seat belt too soon.

  12. 11 BEST Travel Vests [2023 Guide!]

    SCOTTeVEST RFID Travel Vest. With versions for both men and women, the SCOTTeVEST RFID Travel Vest has more features than the headline RFID protection that will keep your personal and credit card details safe from digital hackers. Fully machine washable, this vest includes a Teflon coating which makes it both water and stain resistant, for ...

  13. New Wearable Car Seat

    Built on that principle and through numerous innovative structural variations in conventional child restraints, STS launched its 1st generation of RideSafer® in 2004, creating a big buzz among child safety professionals and the media. Read more. Franklin Park, IL 60131, USA. Email Us. RideSafer Travel Vest manufacturer, New wearable car seat ...

  14. RideSafer Delight Travel Vest Gen5 Review

    The RideSafer Delight Travel Vest is an updated version of the Ride Safer Travel Vest, which came in two versions: the RideSafer Travel Vest 2, and the RideSafer Travel Vest 3, or RSTV 2 and 3. While both versions were quite similar, there were some notable differences between them. Today's version of the vest is lighter and has a lot to offer.

  15. Amazon.com: Ride Safer Vest

    More Buying Choices. $162.52 (5 new offers) Ride Safer Travel Vest with Zipped Backpack-Wearable, Lightweight, Compact, and Portable Car Seat. Perfect for Everyday use or Rideshare, Travel, and Taxi/Rental Car. (X-Small, Yellow) 1. 50+ bought in past month. $15149.

  16. RideSafer

    Why would parents of preschool kids want to buy RideSafer® Travel Vest? Safety Certified - meets or exceeds all Federal motor vehicle standards (FMVSS 213) Perfect alternative for bulky booster seat for travel - Lightweight, easy to carry and fits in your child's backpack; So simple to use when traveling with children and safe in Uber or taxis

  17. Ride Safer Travel Vest

    The Ride Safer Travel Vest is a safe, legal (in all 50 states), and super convenient child restraint for kids in boosters and forward-facing 5-point harness seats. It meets the same standards that all legal car seats and child restraints must meet in order to be considered legal. In more technical terms, it's a FMVSS 213 certified child ...

  18. [4K] Walking Streets Moscow. Moscow-City

    Walking tour around Moscow-City.Thanks for watching!MY GEAR THAT I USEMinimalist Handheld SetupiPhone 11 128GB https://amzn.to/3zfqbboMic for Street https://...

  19. Ride Safer travel vest: it will change the way you travel with kids

    The Ride Safer Travel Vest has fairly rigid support through the body, unlike a traditional booster seat that has no body support. It meets or exceeds all crash test requirements and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for harness restraints, meaning the Ride Safer travel vest is legal throughout the US. It is still considered a booster seat ...

  20. Is Moscow Safe to Visit in 2024?

    Right now, Moscow is not safe to visit due to the ongoing war with Ukraine. The political situation is tenuous, and there have been situations of the government targeting foreign citizens. Although Moscow has a low crime rate, that doesn't mean the city is safe as long as the political situation is the way that it is.

  21. Best City Trip

    The World Travel awards is an organization that rewards leaders in the tourism, airline, hotel and hospitality sectors. Last year Moscow beat the usual suspects like London, Paris, New York and 15 ...

  22. Amazon.com: Rider Safety Travel Vest Kids

    Travel Harness Vest - Child Airplane Safety Travel Harness Baby Safety Travel Restraints System Airplane Foldable Lightweight Comfortable Travel Seat Cushions Perfect for Everyday Use or Rideshare, Travel. 4.1 out of 5 stars 14. 100+ bought in past month. $59.99 $ 59. 99. Typical: $65.99 $65.99.

  23. Is it possible to visit Russia as a tourist in 2023?

    Visa requirements. First things first, it is worth checking if you need a visa to cross the Russian border. In 2023, citizens of some 65 countries can visit Russia without a visa. This includes ...